Recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have sparked unease regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the strategically important island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash
Only a short time after the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, posted a symbolic image. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and firm condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending this year, allocating a large sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the American leader has consistently alarmed European partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for defence and future resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant media appearance, the president declined to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of 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 characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare independence for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Threat?
Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One policy director specializing in military analysis admitted she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
