US Military Operation on Venezuela Stokes Fears of Potential Greenland Annexation.

Recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's base have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.

Provocative Posts and Official Backlash

Only a short time after the initiation of the Caracas operation, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, posted a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."

This blatant threat to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's officials.

"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. American security is also the Arctic's and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."

The diplomat additionally highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget this year, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we expect complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.

Political Appointments and Strategic Interests

The situation were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."

Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."

Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Military Action

In a notable television appearance, the president refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying great-power competition in the polar region. "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 characterized 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."

Growing Tensions and Indigenous Opposition

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

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

Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years.

Expert Assessment: A Plausible Threat?

Some analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst specializing in military analysis conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."

"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.