US Military Operation on Venezuela Stokes Anxieties of Future Greenland Annexation.

Recent American strike in Venezuela and the capture of its president have sparked worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's base have reportedly set their sights on the strategically important island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.

Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage

Only hours following the commencement of the Caracas operation, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a senior presidential aide, shared a suggestive image. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "COMING."

This blatant suggestion to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.

"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep work together as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to ensure security in the North."

The diplomat additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a large amount expressly for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.

Political Moves and Strategic Goals

The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."

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

Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.

Leaving the Door Open to Military Action

In a notable media interview, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid growing global 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 characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."

Mounting Tensions and Local Opposition

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

The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."

Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants desire independence from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek sovereignty for over a decade.

Expert View: A Credible Threat?

Military analysts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in military analysis admitted she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."

"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.