American Military Operation on Venezuela Fuels Anxieties of Future Greenland Annexation.

The recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the detention of its president have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the resource-rich landmass following the events in the southern hemisphere.

Provocative Posts and Official Backlash

Merely a short time following the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House adviser, posted a suggestive map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "COMING."

This overt suggestion to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and firm condemnation from Denmark's representatives.

"We are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to ensure security in the North."

The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget recently, earmarking a large sum specifically for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Political Moves and Geopolitical Goals

The situation were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."

After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's actions, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."

Ever since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically important for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a significant television appearance, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying great-power rivalry in the polar region. "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 described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."

Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Resistance

In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."

The leaders of Denmark and 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 reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years.

Analyst View: A Credible Threat?

Military experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst specializing in military analysis conceded she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."

"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.