American Military Operation on Venezuela Fuels Fears of Potential Danish Territory Annexation.

The recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the detention of its president have ignited apprehension regarding America's designs on Greenland. Followers of the former president's base have reportedly set their sights on the strategically important landmass following the operations in the southern hemisphere.

Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash

Merely hours after the commencement of the Caracas operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, shared a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "COMING."

This blatant suggestion to claim the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.

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

The diplomat additionally highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and regional security. "And yes, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests

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

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

Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically important for national security and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the northernmost US military base.

Refusing to Rule Out Military Action

In a notable television appearance, the president declined to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes during growing global rivalry 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 remarked.

He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."

Growing Friction and Indigenous Resistance

In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."

The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."

Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to declare independence for many years.

Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?

Some analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."

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