Recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the capture of its president have sparked unease regarding America's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the vast landmass following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage
Only a short time following the start of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, shared a symbolic image. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to claim the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and firm condemnation from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget recently, allocating a large amount specifically for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests
The situation were additionally complicated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable media appearance, the president declined to rule out the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying global 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 look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and stern 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 inhabitants seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Scenario?
Some analysts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in defence admitted she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
