American Attack on Venezuela Fuels Concerns of Potential Greenland Annexation.

The latest American military action in the South American nation and the detention of its president have sparked worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's base have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich landmass following the operations in the southern hemisphere.

Inflammatory Messages and Official Outrage

Merely a short time following the start of the Caracas operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior White House adviser, posted a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic caption: "COMING."

This overt threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Danish officials.

"We 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. "Our nation and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the North."

The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its defence spending this year, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.

Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals

The tensions were additionally complicated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."

After the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."

Since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a significant television appearance, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during 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 characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."

Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Opposition

In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."

The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."

Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for many years.

Expert View: A Plausible Threat?

Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director focusing in military analysis conceded she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."

"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.