The recent US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have ignited apprehension regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the strategically important island in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours following the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, posted a suggestive image. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"We are close allies and should continue to work together as such. US security is also the Arctic's and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending this year, allocating a large amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were further complicated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already houses the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable media interview, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during growing 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Local Opposition
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and forceful 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 overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Scenario?
Some analysts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One policy director specializing in military analysis conceded she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
