The latest US-led military action in Venezuela and the capture of its president have renewed unease regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly focused on the resource-rich island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Official Outrage
Merely hours following the start of the Caracas campaign, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential aide, posted a suggestive image. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were additionally complicated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically important for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable media appearance, the leader declined to rule out the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying 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 stated.
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."
Growing Friction and Local Opposition
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
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 must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director focusing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
