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

Recent American bombardment in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have sparked unease regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the strategically important island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.

Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash

Merely a short time following the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, shared a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "COMING."

This overt threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong condemnation from Danish officials.

"We are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to guarantee security in the North."

The ambassador additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.

Political Appointments and Strategic Interests

The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."

Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."

Since assuming office, the American leader has consistently alarmed European allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a notable television appearance, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying global 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 remarked.

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."

Growing Tensions and Local Resistance

In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling 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 take over other countries."

Surveys in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to declare sovereignty for over a decade.

Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?

Some analysts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One policy director focusing in defence conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."

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