US Attack on Caracas Stokes Anxieties of Potential Greenland Annexation.

Recent US-led strike in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have renewed unease regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's base have allegedly set their sights on the strategically important island following the operations in South America.

Provocative Posts and Official Backlash

Only hours after the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House adviser, shared a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the cryptic caption: "SOON."

This blatant suggestion to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Danish officials.

"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to guarantee security in the North."

The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly boosted its military budget this year, allocating a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals

The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."

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

Ever since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for national security and future resource extraction. It already houses the northernmost US air base.

Refusing to Rule Out Force

In a significant television appearance, the president declined to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid growing global 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 remarked.

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

Growing Friction and Indigenous Resistance

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

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

Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years.

Analyst View: A Credible Threat?

Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One policy analyst specializing in defence conceded she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."

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