US Military Operation on Venezuela Fuels Fears of Potential Greenland Takeover.

The recent American bombardment in Venezuela and the capture of its president have sparked unease regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's base have allegedly focused on the strategically important island in the wake of the events in South America.

Inflammatory Posts and Official Backlash

Merely hours following the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a senior White House aide, shared a symbolic image. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by cryptic caption: "COMING."

This overt suggestion to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Danish officials.

"We are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."

The ambassador additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget this year, allocating a substantial amount specifically for Northern and regional security. "And yes, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.

Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests

The tensions were further complicated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."

After the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."

Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically important for national security and potential resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US military base.

Refusing to Rule Out Military Action

In a notable media interview, the president refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid growing 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 characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."

Mounting Friction and Local Resistance

In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."

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

Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.

Analyst Assessment: A Credible Threat?

Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One policy analyst specializing in military analysis admitted she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."

"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.