US Attack on Venezuela Stokes Anxieties of Future Greenland Annexation.

The latest US-led military action in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have renewed unease regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's base have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.

Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash

Merely hours after the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, shared a suggestive map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "COMING."

This blatant suggestion to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.

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

The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.

Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests

The situation were further complicated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."

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

Since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently hosts the northernmost US air base.

Refusing to Rule Out Military Action

In a notable media interview, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance 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 characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."

Growing Friction and Local Opposition

In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."

The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."

Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents desire independence from Denmark, there is also scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare independence for over a decade.

Expert View: A Credible Threat?

Military analysts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One policy director specializing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."

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