The recent American bombardment in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have ignited apprehension regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Followers of the former president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the strategically important island following the operations in South America.
Provocative Posts and Official Backlash
Merely a short time following the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, shared a suggestive map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant threat to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Danish officials.
"We are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget recently, allocating a substantial amount specifically for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were additionally complicated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's decisive move, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the US president has consistently alarmed European partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally important for defence and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable television appearance, the president refused to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during growing global 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 characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant desire to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Some experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
