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

Recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have renewed unease regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the vast island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.

Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash

Only a short time after the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior White House adviser, shared a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "SOON."

This overt threat to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm condemnation from Danish representatives.

"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. American security is also the Arctic's and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to ensure security in the Arctic."

The ambassador further highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its defence spending this year, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and regional security. "And yes, we expect complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests

The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."

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

Ever since assuming office, the American leader has consistently unnerved European allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally strategic for national security and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US military base.

Leaving the Door Open to Military Action

In a significant media interview, the leader refused to exclude the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during growing great-power rivalry 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 remarked.

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 global security."

Growing Friction and Local Opposition

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

The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."

Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.

Expert View: A Plausible Threat?

Military analysts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director specializing 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 deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.