The latest American military action in the South American nation and the capture of its president have renewed worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly focused on the resource-rich island following the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Outrage
Only hours after the start of the Caracas operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House adviser, posted a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by cryptic caption: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and firm condemnation from Danish representatives.
"We are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and our security," stated 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 the kingdom had substantially increased its military budget recently, allocating a large amount expressly for Arctic and regional security. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were further complicated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally strategic for national security and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable television appearance, the leader declined to rule out the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This position 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying 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."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Threat?
Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst specializing in military analysis conceded she had previously discounted 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 who could intervene about it," she concluded.
