American Attack on Venezuela Fuels Concerns of Future Greenland Annexation.

The recent American bombardment in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have ignited apprehension regarding America's designs on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the strategically important island following the operations in South America.

Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage

Merely hours after the start of the Caracas campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, shared a suggestive map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "COMING."

This blatant suggestion to absorb the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm criticism from Denmark's representatives.

"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."

The ambassador additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.

Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests

The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming 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 role to "bring Greenland into the US."

Following the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."

Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved European allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US military base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a significant media appearance, the president refused to exclude the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance 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 stated.

He characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."

Growing Friction and Local Opposition

In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."

The leaders of both Greenland issued a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."

Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek sovereignty for over a decade.

Expert View: A Credible Threat?

Some analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One policy director specializing in defence conceded she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."

"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.