Recent US-led military action in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have sparked apprehension regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the vast island in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Backlash
Only hours following the start of the Caracas operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, shared a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially increased its defence spending this year, earmarking a large amount expressly for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's decisive move, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant media interview, the president declined to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes during intensifying 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 remarked.
He characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions 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 leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint 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 complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Military experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One policy director specializing in defence conceded she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
