The recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have renewed worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly focused on the resource-rich island following the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash
Merely a short time after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, shared a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by cryptic caption: "COMING."
This blatant threat to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"We are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador further highlighted that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget recently, allocating a large sum expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Moves and Strategic Interests
The tensions were additionally complicated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable media interview, the president declined to exclude the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid growing global rivalry in the polar region. "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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Local Opposition
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents seek self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Some analysts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One policy director specializing in defence conceded 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 couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
