American Military Operation on Venezuela Raises Anxieties of Future Greenland Takeover.

The latest US-led military action in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have renewed worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Followers of the former president's political movement have reportedly focused on the resource-rich island following the operations in South America.

Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage

Only hours after the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."

This blatant threat to claim the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Danish representatives.

"We are close allies and should keep work together as such. American security is also the Arctic's and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."

The ambassador further highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.

Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests

The tensions were further complicated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, 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 representative commended the president's actions, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."

Since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently houses the northernmost US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a notable television interview, the leader refused to exclude the use of military force to gain control of 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 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 global security."

Mounting Friction and Local Opposition

In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."

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

Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek independence for many years.

Analyst View: A Credible Threat?

Military experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One policy director focusing in defence conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling 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 on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.