The recent American strike in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have sparked unease regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the strategically important landmass following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash
Merely a short time following the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, shared a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by cryptic caption: "COMING."
This overt threat to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Danish officials.
"We are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a large sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved European partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically important for national security and future resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable television appearance, the leader refused to rule out the use of military force to acquire 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 remarked.
He characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Military experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director focusing in military analysis admitted she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
