American Attack on Venezuela Fuels Anxieties of Future Danish Territory Takeover.

The latest American military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have sparked worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the former president's base have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich island in the wake of the operations in South America.

Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash

Merely a short time after the initiation of the Caracas operation, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House aide, shared a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."

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

"We are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."

The ambassador further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially increased its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests

The tensions were further complicated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."

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

Since returning to office, the American leader has consistently unnerved transatlantic allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for national security and potential resource extraction. It already houses the northernmost US military base.

Leaving the Door Open to Military Action

In a significant television interview, the president declined to rule out the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid 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 stated.

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

Mounting Friction and Local Opposition

In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."

The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a unified 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 picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants desire independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for many years.

Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?

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

"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.