US Military Operation on Venezuela Raises Concerns of Potential Greenland Annexation.

Recent American strike in the South American nation and the capture of its president have renewed unease regarding America's designs on Greenland. Followers of the former president's base have allegedly set their sights on the strategically important landmass following the events in the southern hemisphere.

Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Backlash

Merely hours after the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a suggestive image. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."

This overt threat to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and firm condemnation from Denmark's representatives.

"We are strong partners and should keep 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 guarantee security in the Arctic."

The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.

Political Moves and Strategic Interests

The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."

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

Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the northernmost US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Military Action

In a notable media appearance, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid growing great-power 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 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 international security."

Growing Tensions and Indigenous Opposition

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

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 take over other countries."

Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.

Expert View: A Credible Threat?

Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling 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 on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.