American Military Operation on Venezuela Stokes Anxieties of Future Greenland Takeover.

Recent American strike in the South American nation and the detention of its president have renewed unease regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's base have allegedly focused on the strategically important island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.

Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash

Only hours following the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, shared a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic message: "COMING."

This blatant threat to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and firm criticism from Danish officials.

"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to ensure security in the North."

The ambassador further highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial sum specifically for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.

Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals

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

Following the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's actions, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."

Since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.

Refusing to Rule Out Military Action

In a significant television interview, the president refused to exclude the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes during intensifying great-power 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 remarked.

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

Growing Tensions and Local Resistance

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

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

Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.

Analyst Assessment: A Credible Threat?

Military analysts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently 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 not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.