American Military Operation on Venezuela Fuels Fears of Potential Greenland Annexation.

The recent American military action in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have renewed worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's base have allegedly set their sights on the vast island following the events in South America.

Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage

Only hours following the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House adviser, shared a symbolic image. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic caption: "SOON."

This overt suggestion to absorb the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.

"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also Greenland’s and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."

The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.

Political Moves and Strategic Goals

The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."

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

Since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for national security and future resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US military base.

Refusing to Rule Out Force

In a notable media interview, the president declined to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This position 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 stated.

He described Greenland as having a "very small 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 persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."

The leaders of both Greenland issued a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."

Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to seek sovereignty for many years.

Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?

Some analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst specializing in military analysis conceded she had once 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 intervene about it," she concluded.