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

Recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have sparked apprehension regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's base have reportedly set their sights on the vast island in the wake of the operations in South America.

Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Backlash

Only a short time following the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, posted a symbolic image. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the single-word caption: "SOON."

This blatant suggestion to absorb the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.

"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate 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 ambassador additionally pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a large amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.

Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests

The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."

After the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's actions, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."

Since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved European partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the northernmost US military base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a notable media appearance, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying great-power rivalry 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 remarked.

He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."

Growing Tensions and Indigenous Opposition

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

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

Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The island has had the option to declare sovereignty for over a decade.

Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?

Military analysts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."

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