The latest American military action in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have sparked unease regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly focused on the vast landmass following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours after the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, posted a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic message: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"We are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Strategic Interests
The situation were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally strategic for national security and potential resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable television appearance, the president refused to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during growing global rivalry 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 remarked.
He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence admitted she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
