American Military Operation on Venezuela Stokes Concerns of Future Danish Territory Takeover.

The recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the detention of its president have ignited apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the former president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the vast island following the operations in South America.

Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Outrage

Merely hours after the start of the Caracas campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, posted a symbolic image. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."

This blatant threat to annex 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 continue to cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to ensure security in the North."

The diplomat additionally highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its defence spending this year, earmarking a substantial sum specifically for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we expect complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.

Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals

The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."

After the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's actions, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."

Ever since returning to office, the American leader has consistently alarmed European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a significant television interview, the president declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid growing global 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 characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."

Mounting Friction and Indigenous Resistance

In response to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."

The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."

Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents desire independence from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for many years.

Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?

Military experts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director specializing in military analysis admitted she had previously discounted 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 soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.