American Attack on Caracas Raises Anxieties of Future Greenland Annexation.

The latest American military action in Venezuela and the capture of its president have renewed worry regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the vast landmass in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.

Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Backlash

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

This blatant suggestion to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and firm condemnation from Denmark's officials.

"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the North."

The ambassador additionally highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a large amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals

The situation were additionally complicated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the president, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."

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

Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the northernmost US military base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a notable media appearance, the president refused to exclude the use of military force 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."

Growing Friction and Indigenous Opposition

In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."

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

Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.

Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?

Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis admitted she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."

"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.