American Military Operation on Venezuela Stokes Anxieties of Potential Greenland Annexation.

The recent American strike in the South American nation and the detention of its president have renewed apprehension regarding America's designs on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly focused on the vast landmass following the events in South America.

Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Backlash

Only hours after the start of the Caracas campaign, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, posted a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by cryptic caption: "COMING."

This overt suggestion to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and firm criticism from Denmark's officials.

"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to ensure security in the North."

The ambassador further highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget this year, allocating a substantial sum specifically for Northern and regional security. "And yes, we expect complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.

Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests

The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."

After the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."

Ever since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally important for defence and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US military base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a significant television interview, the leader refused to rule out the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during growing global rivalry 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 characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."

Growing Friction and Local Opposition

In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."

The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and forceful rebuke: "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 scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years.

Analyst View: A Credible Threat?

Military experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in military analysis admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."

"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.