Recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have sparked unease regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's base have reportedly focused on the vast landmass in the wake of the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely hours following the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, shared a suggestive map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that the kingdom had significantly boosted its defence spending this year, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve 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 "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the American leader has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable television interview, the president declined to exclude the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during growing 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 take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Local Resistance
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the option to declare independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Some experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in military analysis admitted she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
