The recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have sparked worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the former president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the strategically important landmass in the wake of the operations in South America.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Only a short time after the start of the Caracas operation, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior White House aide, shared a symbolic image. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.
"We are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically important for defence and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant media appearance, the president declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of 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 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 international security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Opposition
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 leaders of both Greenland delivered a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to declare independence for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in military analysis conceded she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
