Recent American military action in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have renewed worry regarding America's designs on Greenland. Members of the former president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the strategically important island following the events in South America.
Provocative Posts and Official Outrage
Only hours following the initiation of the Caracas operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, shared a symbolic image. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."
This overt threat to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and firm criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget this year, earmarking a large sum specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we demand complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Moves and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further complicated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer role 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 wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved European allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant media appearance, the president declined to exclude the resorting to military force 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 remarked.
He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Military analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director specializing in military analysis admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
