US Military Operation on Venezuela Raises Fears of Future Greenland Annexation.

Recent US-led military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have renewed unease regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly focused on the resource-rich island following the operations in South America.

Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash

Merely a short time after the start of the Caracas operation, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House adviser, posted a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."

This overt threat to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and firm criticism from Danish officials.

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

The ambassador additionally highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget recently, allocating a substantial sum specifically for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.

Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals

The tensions were further complicated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."

Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."

Ever since assuming office, the American leader has consistently alarmed European partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically strategic for national security and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a significant television interview, the president refused to exclude the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid 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 stated.

He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."

Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance

In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."

The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."

Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years.

Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?

Military experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in defence conceded she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."

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