Recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have renewed unease regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the strategically important island in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Only hours after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, shared a suggestive image. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget recently, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the previous appointment 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 "honour" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant television appearance, the leader refused to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid growing global rivalry 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 characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Resistance
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One policy analyst focusing in military analysis admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
