Recent American military action in the South American nation and the capture of its president have sparked apprehension regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the vast landmass following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Only hours following the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, shared a suggestive image. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "COMING."
This overt threat to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm condemnation from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly boosted its defence spending this year, allocating a substantial sum specifically for Northern and regional security. "And yes, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were further complicated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the American leader has consistently alarmed European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically important for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable television interview, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during growing great-power competition in the polar region. "I don't rule it out. I don't say I'm going to do it, but I don't rule out anything... We need Greenland very badly," he stated.
He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Local Resistance
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents desire independence from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in military analysis conceded she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
