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

The recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the detention of its president have renewed worry regarding America's designs on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly focused on the resource-rich island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.

Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Backlash

Only a short time following the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior White House aide, posted a symbolic image. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."

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

"We are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also Greenland’s and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."

The ambassador additionally highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget recently, allocating a substantial sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests

The situation were further complicated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."

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

Ever since returning to office, the American leader has consistently alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Military Action

In a significant media appearance, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to armed action 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 described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."

Mounting Friction and Local Opposition

In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."

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

Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.

Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?

Some analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in military analysis conceded she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."

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