The recent US-led military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have ignited worry regarding America's designs on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's base have reportedly focused on the vast island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours after the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a suggestive image. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."
This overt threat to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"We are close allies and should continue to work together as such. American security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget recently, earmarking a large sum specifically for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests
The situation were further complicated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally important for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It already houses the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant media interview, the leader declined to exclude the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid growing 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 remarked.
He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Local Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy director specializing in defence admitted she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
