The latest American strike in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have sparked unease regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's base have reportedly focused on the strategically important island following the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage
Only hours after the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, posted a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "COMING."
This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and firm criticism from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a large sum expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Political Moves and Strategic Interests
The situation were additionally complicated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's actions, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant media appearance, the leader declined to rule out the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid growing global 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 value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst 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 deploy 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.
