The latest US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the detention of its president have ignited apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's base have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich landmass following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Only a short time after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, shared a symbolic image. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget this year, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were further complicated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant media interview, the president declined to rule out the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during growing global competition in the Arctic. "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 remarked.
He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare independence for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One policy director specializing in military analysis conceded she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
