Recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have renewed apprehension regarding America's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the strategically important island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Official Backlash
Only a short time after the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, posted a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic caption: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"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 Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a large amount expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's decisive move, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant television interview, the leader refused to rule out the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes during growing great-power 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 stated.
He characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's 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 forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire independence from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Some analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence admitted she had previously 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 soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
