The latest US-led strike in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have sparked unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the strategically important island following the operations in South America.
Provocative Messages and Official Backlash
Merely a short time after the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, posted a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially increased its military budget recently, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the American leader has consistently alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for national security and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant media interview, the leader refused to rule out the use of armed action to acquire 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Local Opposition
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants desire independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Military experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director focusing 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 not clear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
