US Attack on Venezuela Fuels Fears of Future Greenland Annexation.

The recent American strike in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have sparked apprehension regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the strategically important island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.

Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage

Merely a short time following the start of the Caracas operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a symbolic image. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic caption: "SOON."

This blatant threat to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.

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

The ambassador additionally highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its military budget this year, allocating a large sum expressly for Arctic and regional security. "And yes, we expect complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.

Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Interests

The situation were further complicated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."

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

Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US military base.

Refusing to Rule Out Military Action

In a notable media interview, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying great-power 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 characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."

Mounting Friction and Local Resistance

In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."

The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."

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

Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?

Some experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."

"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.