American Attack on Venezuela Fuels Anxieties of Potential Greenland Annexation.

The latest American strike in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have ignited unease regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the strategically important landmass in the wake of the operations in South America.

Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Outrage

Only a short time following the start of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is married to a senior presidential aide, shared a symbolic image. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "SOON."

This overt threat to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm condemnation from Denmark's officials.

"We are strong partners and should continue to 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 collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."

The ambassador additionally pointed out that the kingdom had substantially increased its military budget this year, allocating a large sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.

Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Goals

The situation were further complicated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."

Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."

Since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US air base.

Refusing to Rule Out Military Action

In a notable television appearance, the president declined to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance 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 take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."

Growing Friction and Local Opposition

In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."

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 cannot annex other countries."

Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also scant desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for many years.

Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?

Some experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis conceded she had once 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 soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.