American Military Operation on Venezuela Fuels Fears of Potential Greenland Annexation.

Recent US-led military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have ignited unease regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the vast landmass in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.

Inflammatory Messages and Official Outrage

Merely a short time after the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior White House aide, posted a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the cryptic caption: "SOON."

This overt threat to absorb the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Danish representatives.

"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to ensure security in the North."

The ambassador further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and regional security. "And yes, we demand full recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.

Political Appointments and Strategic Interests

The situation were further complicated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."

After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."

Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Military Action

In a significant media appearance, the president declined to rule out the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying great-power competition 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 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 global security."

Mounting Tensions and Local Resistance

In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."

The leaders of both Greenland issued a joint 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 reveals a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.

Expert View: A Credible Threat?

Some experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis conceded she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."

"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.