The recent US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have ignited worry regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly focused on the strategically important island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Only hours following the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a suggestive image. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a large sum specifically for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were further complicated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant television interview, the leader declined to rule out the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during growing great-power competition 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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Threat?
Some experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One policy analyst focusing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
