US Attack on Caracas Raises Concerns of Future Greenland Annexation.

Recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the vast landmass following the events in South America.

Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage

Only a short time following the start of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House adviser, shared a suggestive map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "COMING."

This blatant threat to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm criticism from Denmark's officials.

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

The ambassador additionally pointed out that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending this year, allocating a substantial amount specifically for Northern and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests

The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."

Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."

Since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US military base.

Refusing to Rule Out Military Action

In a significant television interview, the president declined to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying great-power 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 take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."

Growing Friction and Indigenous Resistance

In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."

The leaders of both Greenland delivered a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."

Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.

Expert Assessment: A Credible Threat?

Some experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."

"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.