Recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have ignited worry regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the vast landmass following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Official Outrage
Only hours following the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep work together as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had substantially boosted its defence spending this year, allocating a large sum specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant television appearance, the leader refused to rule out the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during growing great-power 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 look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Resistance
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One policy director focusing in military analysis admitted she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
