US Attack on Venezuela Stokes Concerns of Potential Greenland Takeover.

The recent American military action in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have ignited unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the vast island in the wake of the operations in South America.

Provocative Messages and Official Backlash

Only a short time following the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior presidential aide, shared a symbolic image. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."

This overt threat to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.

"We are strong partners and should keep work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’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 diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we expect complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.

Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Interests

The situation were further complicated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."

After the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's actions, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."

Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is considered critically important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US military base.

Leaving the Door Open to Military Action

In a significant television appearance, the president declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during growing great-power rivalry 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 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 international security."

Growing Friction and Indigenous Opposition

In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."

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."

Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for many years.

Analyst Assessment: A Credible Scenario?

Some analysts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One policy analyst specializing in military analysis conceded she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."

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