US Military Operation on Venezuela Fuels Anxieties of Future Greenland Takeover.

Recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have ignited unease regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the vast island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.

Inflammatory Messages and Official Outrage

Only a short time following the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential aide, posted a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."

This overt suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered 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 the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."

The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had significantly increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a large amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Political Moves and Strategic Interests

The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."

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

Since returning to office, the American leader has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically strategic for national security and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Military Action

In a significant television interview, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid growing global 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 characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."

Mounting Friction and Indigenous Resistance

In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service 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 statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."

Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.

Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?

Military experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One policy analyst focusing in defence admitted she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."

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