The latest American strike 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 allegedly set their sights on the strategically important island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Official Backlash
Only a short time after the start of the Caracas operation, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word message: "COMING."
This blatant threat to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and firm criticism from Denmark's officials.
"We are strong partners and should keep work together as such. American security is also the Arctic's and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a large sum specifically for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals
The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant media appearance, the president refused to exclude the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying 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 value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying 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 must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some experts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One policy director focusing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
