The latest American strike in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have ignited unease regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's base have reportedly set their sights on the strategically important landmass following the events in South America.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Only hours following the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, shared a symbolic image. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by cryptic caption: "SOON."
This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly increased its defence spending this year, earmarking a large sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important 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 president declined to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid growing great-power rivalry 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 described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Local Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
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 annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek sovereignty for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director focusing in military analysis admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
