The latest US-led strike in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have renewed unease regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Official Backlash
Merely hours after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, shared a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the single-word caption: "COMING."
This overt threat to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.
"We are close allies and should continue to work together as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared 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 additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget recently, earmarking a large sum expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered critically important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable media interview, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes during growing great-power competition in the polar region. "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 described 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."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.
Expert View: A Credible Scenario?
Military experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence admitted she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
