American Military Operation on Venezuela Stokes Concerns of Potential Danish Territory Annexation.

The latest US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its president have ignited unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the vast island following the events in South America.

Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash

Merely a short time following the commencement of the Caracas operation, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, shared a symbolic image. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."

This blatant threat to absorb the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and strong condemnation from Danish officials.

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

The ambassador further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly boosted its defence spending this year, allocating a large sum expressly for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Goals

The situation were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."

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

Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Military Action

In a notable media appearance, the president declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during 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 remarked.

He described 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 reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."

The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued 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 nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek independence for over a decade.

Analyst Assessment: A Credible Scenario?

Some experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence admitted she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."

"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.