American Attack on Venezuela Stokes Concerns of Future Greenland Annexation.

The recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have renewed worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Members of the former president's base have reportedly focused on the strategically important landmass following the events in the southern hemisphere.

Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage

Only a short time following the start of the Caracas operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a symbolic image. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "COMING."

This overt threat to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and firm condemnation from Danish officials.

"We are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to guarantee security in the North."

The ambassador additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a large sum expressly for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.

Political Appointments and Strategic Interests

The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."

After the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's decisive move, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."

Ever since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically strategic for national security and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a notable media appearance, the president refused to exclude the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This position 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 described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."

Growing Tensions and Indigenous Opposition

In response to this constant "drumbeat" 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 Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and stern statement: "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 vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for over a decade.

Analyst Assessment: A Credible Scenario?

Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One policy director focusing in defence conceded she had previously 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 inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.