Recent US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have renewed worry regarding America's designs on Greenland. Followers of the former president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely hours after the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House adviser, shared a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "COMING."
This overt threat to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its military budget this year, allocating a substantial sum specifically for Northern and regional defence. "And yes, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were additionally complicated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved European partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically important for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant television appearance, the leader declined to exclude the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid growing 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Friction and Local Opposition
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in military analysis conceded she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
