American Military Operation on Venezuela Fuels Anxieties of Future Danish Territory Acquisition.

The latest US-led military action in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have sparked apprehension regarding America's designs on Greenland. Followers of the former president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the vast island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.

Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash

Merely a short time after the start of the Caracas operation, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, shared a symbolic image. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."

This overt suggestion to claim the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Danish officials.

"We are close allies and should continue to work together as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to guarantee security in the North."

The diplomat additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial amount specifically for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.

Political Appointments and Strategic Interests

The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."

Following the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."

Ever since assuming office, the American leader has consistently alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a notable television appearance, the president refused to rule out the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying 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 look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."

Mounting Friction and Local Opposition

In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."

The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."

Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents desire independence from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for over a decade.

Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?

Military experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in military analysis conceded she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."

"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.