US Military Operation on Venezuela Stokes Concerns of Potential Greenland Takeover.

Recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the detention of its president have renewed worry regarding America's designs on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly focused on the strategically important island in the wake of the events in South America.

Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash

Only hours after the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "SOON."

This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's officials.

"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the North."

The ambassador additionally highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending this year, earmarking a large sum specifically for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests

The situation were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."

After the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's actions, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."

Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed European allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Military Action

In a notable television appearance, the leader declined to rule out the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid growing great-power 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 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."

Growing Friction and Indigenous Opposition

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 "potential threat."

The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."

Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for many years.

Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?

Military experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director focusing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."

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