The recent American strike in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have sparked worry regarding America's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Official Backlash
Only a short time after the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, posted a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by cryptic caption: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Danish representatives.
"We are close allies and should continue to work together as such. US security is also 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 guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget this year, allocating a large amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's actions, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable television appearance, the leader declined to rule out the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying global 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 take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Local Opposition
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Some experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in defence conceded she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
