US Attack on Caracas Fuels Fears of Potential Greenland Annexation.

The latest US-led strike in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have renewed apprehension regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.

Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash

Merely hours following the start of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a senior presidential aide, posted a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "COMING."

This overt threat to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Danish officials.

"We are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."

The ambassador further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly increased its military budget this year, allocating a substantial amount specifically for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.

Political Appointments and Strategic Interests

The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."

Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."

Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Military Action

In a significant television appearance, the president refused to exclude the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying great-power competition in the polar region. "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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."

Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance

In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."

The leaders of both Greenland issued a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."

Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for many years.

Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?

Some experts are increasingly re-evaluating 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."

"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.