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

The latest US-led military action in the South American nation and the capture of its president have sparked unease regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's base have reportedly focused on the strategically important island following the operations in South America.

Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage

Merely hours following the start of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic caption: "COMING."

This blatant suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and firm criticism from Danish representatives.

"We are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the North."

The ambassador additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget this year, earmarking a large amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals

The tensions were additionally complicated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."

After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."

Ever since assuming office, the American leader has consistently unnerved European allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for national security and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US military base.

Refusing to Rule Out Force

In a significant television interview, the president refused to exclude the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying great-power 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 stated.

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

Mounting Friction and Local Opposition

In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."

The leaders of both Greenland delivered a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."

Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.

Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?

Military experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director focusing in military analysis admitted she had previously dismissed 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 on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.