Recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the capture of its president have sparked unease regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Members of the former president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich island following the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely a short time following the initiation of the Caracas operation, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior White House aide, posted a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the American flag, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm criticism from Denmark's officials.
"We are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending this year, allocating a substantial sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It already houses the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable media appearance, the president refused to exclude the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during 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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst focusing in military analysis admitted she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
