The recent American bombardment in Venezuela and the detention of its president have sparked unease regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's base have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich island in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Only a short time following the start of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, posted a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget recently, allocating a large sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently houses the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable media appearance, the president refused to rule out the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid 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 remarked.
He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Local Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Some experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One policy director specializing in defence admitted she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
