American Military Operation on Venezuela Raises Anxieties of Potential Greenland Takeover.

The recent US-led strike in the South American nation and the detention of its president have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the former president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the strategically important island in the wake of the events in South America.

Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash

Merely hours after the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior White House adviser, shared a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."

This overt threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and firm criticism from Denmark's officials.

"We are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."

The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had significantly increased its defence spending this year, allocating a substantial sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we expect complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.

Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals

The situation were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."

After the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."

Since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for national security and future resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a significant media appearance, the president refused to exclude the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid 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 stated.

He characterized 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 international security."

Mounting Friction and Indigenous Resistance

In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."

The leaders of both Greenland issued a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."

Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for over a decade.

Analyst Assessment: A Credible Scenario?

Military experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in military analysis admitted she had previously 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 observed.