US Attack on Venezuela Fuels Concerns of Future Greenland Annexation.

Recent American bombardment in the South American nation and the detention of its president have renewed unease regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's base have allegedly focused on the strategically important island following the events in the southern hemisphere.

Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage

Merely a short time following the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, posted a symbolic image. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."

This overt suggestion to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Danish officials.

"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to guarantee security in the North."

The ambassador additionally highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a large amount expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.

Political Appointments and Strategic Goals

The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."

Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's actions, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."

Ever since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the most northerly US military base.

Leaving the Door Open to Military Action

In a significant media appearance, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during growing 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 characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."

Growing Friction and Local Opposition

In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."

The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a joint and forceful 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 nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.

Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?

Some analysts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis admitted she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling 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 not clear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.