American Attack on Caracas Stokes Anxieties of Potential Greenland Annexation.

The recent US-led strike in the South American nation and the capture of its president have renewed unease regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly focused on the vast landmass in the wake of the operations in South America.

Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Outrage

Merely hours following the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, shared a suggestive image. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."

This overt threat to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and firm condemnation from Danish representatives.

"We are strong partners and should keep work together as such. American security is also the Arctic's and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."

The ambassador additionally highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending this year, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we expect full recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.

Political Appointments and Strategic Interests

The tensions were further complicated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."

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

Ever since returning to office, the American leader has consistently unnerved European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base.

Refusing to Rule Out Force

In a notable media interview, the president declined to rule out the resorting to armed action 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 "tiny 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 response to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling 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 take over other countries."

Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also scant appetite to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.

Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?

Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in defence admitted she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."

"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.