American Military Operation on Venezuela Fuels Fears of Future Greenland Takeover.

The latest US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have sparked unease regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the former president's political movement have reportedly focused on the strategically important landmass in the wake of the operations in South America.

Provocative Posts and Official Backlash

Only hours following the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, shared a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."

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

"We are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."

The ambassador further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending this year, allocating a substantial amount specifically for Northern and regional security. "And yes, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Interests

The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."

After the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."

Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently houses the northernmost US military base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a significant media appearance, the president declined to exclude the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid growing global 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 stated.

He characterized 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 Tensions and Local Resistance

In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."

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

Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.

Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?

Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director specializing in military analysis admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."

"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.