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

Recent US-led strike in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly focused on the resource-rich landmass following the events in South America.

Provocative Posts and Official Outrage

Merely hours after the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House adviser, shared a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."

This overt threat to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm condemnation from Denmark's officials.

"We are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is also Greenland’s and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."

The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget recently, allocating a large amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.

Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests

The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."

Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."

Ever since assuming office, the American leader has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the northernmost US military base.

Refusing to Rule Out Military Action

In a notable television interview, the president declined to exclude the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes during intensifying 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 characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."

Growing Tensions and Indigenous Opposition

In response to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."

The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."

Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to seek sovereignty for over a decade.

Expert Assessment: A Plausible Threat?

Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in defence admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."

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