US Military Operation on Venezuela Stokes Anxieties of Potential Danish Territory Annexation.

Recent US-led strike in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have sparked unease regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the resource-rich landmass following the events in South America.

Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage

Merely a short time following the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, posted a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by cryptic caption: "COMING."

This overt threat to absorb the resource-abundant 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. American security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to ensure security in the Arctic."

The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a large sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.

Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests

The situation were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."

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

Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US military base.

Refusing to Rule Out Force

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

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

Growing Friction and Indigenous Opposition

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

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 must not take over other countries."

Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare independence for over a decade.

Analyst View: A Credible Threat?

Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One policy director focusing in defence admitted 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 few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.