US Military Operation on Venezuela Raises Fears of Potential Greenland Annexation.

The recent US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have renewed worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the former president's base have allegedly set their sights on the vast landmass in the wake of the operations in South America.

Provocative Posts and Official Outrage

Merely a short time after the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, posted a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "SOON."

This overt threat to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.

"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."

The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had substantially boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a large amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.

Political Appointments and Strategic Goals

The situation were additionally complicated by the recent naming 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 work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."

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

Since returning to office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Military Action

In a significant television appearance, the president declined to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying great-power 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 remarked.

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

Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance

In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" 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 Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."

Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare independence for over a decade.

Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?

Military experts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One policy analyst focusing in military analysis conceded she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."

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