US Military Operation on Venezuela Fuels Concerns of Future Greenland Annexation.

Recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the detention of its president have ignited unease regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the vast landmass following the operations in the southern hemisphere.

Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage

Only a short time after the start of the Caracas operation, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior presidential aide, shared a symbolic image. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "COMING."

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

"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the North."

The ambassador further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly increased its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial sum specifically for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.

Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Interests

The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."

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

Since returning to office, the American leader has consistently alarmed European allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for defence and future resource extraction. It already houses the northernmost US air base.

Refusing to Rule Out Military Action

In a notable television interview, the leader declined to exclude the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying 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 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 global security."

Mounting Tensions and Local Resistance

In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" 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 stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."

Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for many years.

Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?

Some experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."

"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.