American Military Operation on Venezuela Stokes Fears of Future Greenland Annexation.

The recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the capture of its president have sparked apprehension regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the operations in South America.

Inflammatory Posts and Official Backlash

Only a short time following the start of the Caracas operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a senior presidential aide, posted a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, with the single-word caption: "COMING."

This blatant threat to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Danish representatives.

"We are strong partners and should keep work together as such. American 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 guarantee security in the Arctic."

The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a large amount expressly for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.

Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Goals

The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."

After the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."

Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically strategic for national security and potential resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US military base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a significant television interview, the president refused to rule out the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during growing 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 look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."

Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance

In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."

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

Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.

Expert Assessment: A Credible Scenario?

Military analysts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."

"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.