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

The latest American bombardment in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have sparked unease regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.

Provocative Posts and Official Backlash

Only hours following the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, posted a symbolic image. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the single-word message: "SOON."

This blatant suggestion to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and firm condemnation from Denmark's representatives.

"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep 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 guarantee security in the North."

The diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its military budget this year, allocating a large sum expressly for Arctic and regional security. "And yes, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.

Political Appointments and Geopolitical Goals

The situation were further complicated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."

After the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."

Since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a notable television interview, the president refused to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid growing global competition 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 characterized 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."

Mounting Friction and Local Resistance

In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's security agency 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 complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for many years.

Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?

Some analysts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in defence admitted she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."

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