The latest US-led strike in Venezuela and the capture of its president have renewed worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Members of the former president's political movement have allegedly focused on the resource-rich landmass following the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage
Merely hours following the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a suggestive image. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "COMING."
This overt threat to absorb the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and strong condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"We are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget recently, allocating a large sum expressly for Northern and regional defence. "And yes, we expect full recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were additionally complicated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's actions, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for defence and potential resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable media interview, the president refused to rule out the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid 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 stated.
He characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders 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 take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the option to declare independence for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Threat?
Some analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One policy director specializing in military analysis admitted she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
