American Attack on Venezuela Stokes Anxieties of Future Greenland Annexation.

Recent American strike in the South American nation and the detention of its president have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly focused on the vast landmass in the wake of the operations in South America.

Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash

Merely a short time following the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, posted a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the American flag, with the single-word message: "SOON."

This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and firm criticism from Denmark's representatives.

"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the Arctic."

The diplomat additionally pointed out that the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending this year, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests

The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."

Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."

Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the northernmost US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Military Action

In a notable television appearance, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of 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 remarked.

He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."

Mounting Friction and Local Opposition

In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."

The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."

Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for many years.

Expert View: A Credible Scenario?

Some experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director specializing in defence conceded she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."

"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.