US Attack on Caracas Stokes Anxieties of Potential Greenland Annexation.

The recent US-led military action in Venezuela and the capture of its president have renewed apprehension regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's base have reportedly set their sights on the strategically important island in the wake of the operations in South America.

Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage

Merely a short time following the start of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking White House adviser, shared a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."

This blatant threat to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.

"We are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."

The ambassador further highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Political Appointments and Geopolitical Goals

The situation were additionally complicated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."

Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."

Since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for national security and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the northernmost US military base.

Leaving the Door Open to Military Action

In a significant television appearance, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance 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 cherish them... But we need that for global security."

Mounting Tensions and Local Resistance

In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."

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."

Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant desire to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for many years.

Expert Assessment: A Credible Scenario?

Military experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One policy director specializing in defence admitted she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."

"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.