US Attack on Venezuela Raises Anxieties of Potential Greenland Annexation.

The latest US-led strike in Venezuela and the detention of its president have ignited worry regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's base have allegedly focused on the strategically important landmass in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.

Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash

Only hours after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House aide, shared a symbolic image. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "COMING."

This overt suggestion to absorb the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.

"We are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared 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 boosted its defence spending this year, earmarking a large amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests

The tensions 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, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."

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

Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a notable television interview, the president refused to rule out the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying global rivalry 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 remarked.

He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."

Growing Tensions and Local Opposition

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

The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."

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

Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?

Some analysts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in defence admitted she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."

"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.