The recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the capture of its president have ignited worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the strategically important landmass in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Official Outrage
Only a short time after the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, posted a suggestive map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "COMING."
This overt threat to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm condemnation from Danish officials.
"We are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is also Greenland’s and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget this year, earmarking a large sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Political Moves and Strategic Goals
The situation were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's decisive move, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically important for defence and future resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable media interview, the president refused to rule out the use of armed action to gain control of 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 value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Local Resistance
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One policy analyst focusing 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 station a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
