The latest US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have ignited unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the vast landmass in the wake of the operations in South America.
Provocative Posts and Official Backlash
Merely a short time following the start of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, posted a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by cryptic caption: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget this year, earmarking a large amount expressly for Northern and regional defence. "And yes, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable television appearance, the president refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during 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 remarked.
He characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Military analysts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy director specializing in defence conceded she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
