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

Recent US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have ignited worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the strategically important island following the events in South America.

Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Backlash

Only a short time following the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, posted a symbolic image. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "COMING."

This overt threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm criticism from Danish officials.

"We are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and our security," stated the Danish ambassador 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 the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a large sum specifically for Northern and regional security. "And yes, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.

Political Appointments and Strategic Goals

The situation were additionally complicated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."

After the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's actions, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."

Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the northernmost US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Military Action

In a significant television interview, the president refused to exclude the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes during growing global 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 remarked.

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 global security."

Growing Friction and Local Opposition

In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."

The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered 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 nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.

Expert Assessment: A Plausible Threat?

Some analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in defence conceded she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently 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 do anything about it," she concluded.