The latest American military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have sparked unease regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the vast landmass following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Official Backlash
Only hours following the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior White House aide, posted a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm criticism from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to work together as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget this year, earmarking a large amount expressly for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable media interview, the president declined to rule out the resorting to military force 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 take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a unified and forceful 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 desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare independence for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director focusing in defence admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
