The latest US-led military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have renewed unease regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the vast island following the operations in South America.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely hours following the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, posted a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "COMING."
This blatant threat to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget this year, earmarking a large sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we expect complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's decisive move, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently hosts the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable television interview, the president refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying great-power 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 stated.
He characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Friction and Local Opposition
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Threat?
Military experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy director specializing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
