The recent US-led strike in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have ignited unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's base have allegedly focused on the strategically important landmass in the wake of the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Backlash
Merely a short time following the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."
This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and firm condemnation from Danish representatives.
"We are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its military budget this year, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
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 described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Opposition
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Threat?
Military analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One thinktank analyst 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 few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
