Recent US-led military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have sparked apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the strategically important island following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Only a short time following the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, posted a suggestive map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "COMING."
This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Danish officials.
"We are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget this year, allocating a large amount specifically for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's decisive move, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically important for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant media interview, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying great-power 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Local Resistance
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to declare independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy director focusing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
