American Attack on Caracas Fuels Anxieties of Future Greenland Annexation.

The recent American bombardment in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have ignited unease regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's base have reportedly set their sights on the vast island in the wake of the operations in South America.

Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage

Merely a short time following the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior White House adviser, posted a symbolic image. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."

This overt threat to claim the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm criticism from Denmark's officials.

"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the North."

The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had substantially boosted its defence spending this year, earmarking a substantial sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.

Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Interests

The situation were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."

After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."

Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for national security and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a notable television interview, the president refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid 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 value them... But we need that for international security."

Mounting Friction and Local Opposition

In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."

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

Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.

Analyst View: A Credible Threat?

Military experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in defence conceded she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."

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