American Military Operation on Venezuela Fuels Fears of Potential Greenland Annexation.

Recent American military action in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have sparked worry regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the vast landmass in the wake of the operations in South America.

Inflammatory Posts and Official Backlash

Merely hours after the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, posted a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "COMING."

This overt threat to absorb the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.

"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."

The ambassador additionally pointed out that the kingdom had substantially increased its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.

Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals

The tensions were further complicated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."

After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's actions, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."

Since assuming office, the American leader has consistently alarmed European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the northernmost US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Military Action

In a notable media appearance, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying great-power 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 remarked.

He characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."

Growing Tensions and Local Resistance

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

The leaders of both Greenland issued a unified and stern 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 picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years.

Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?

Some analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director specializing in defence admitted she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."

"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.