The latest US-led military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have ignited apprehension regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Followers of the former president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the strategically important landmass following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Only a short time after the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a senior White House adviser, posted a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to work together as such. American security is equally 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 Arctic."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget this year, allocating a substantial amount specifically for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's actions, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It already houses the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable media interview, the president refused to exclude the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying 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 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 Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also scant appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Some experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy director specializing in military analysis conceded she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
