The recent US-led military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have ignited unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly focused on the resource-rich island in the wake of the events in South America.
Provocative Posts and Official Outrage
Merely hours following the start of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is married to a senior presidential aide, shared a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic message: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Danish officials.
"We are close allies and should keep work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget recently, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further complicated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for defence and future resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable media appearance, the president declined to exclude the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying global 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 characterized 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."
Mounting Tensions and Local Resistance
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in defence admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
