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

The latest American military action in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have sparked worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the vast island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.

Provocative Posts and Official Outrage

Only hours after the start of the Caracas operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior White House aide, posted a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by cryptic caption: "SOON."

This blatant suggestion to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm criticism from Denmark's representatives.

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

The diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.

Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Goals

The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."

Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's actions, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."

Since assuming office, the American leader has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US military base.

Leaving the Door Open to Military Action

In a significant television interview, the leader declined to rule out the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying global competition in the polar region. "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 take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."

Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Resistance

In response 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 prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."

Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.

Expert View: A Credible Threat?

Some analysts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence conceded she had previously discounted 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 inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.