American Military Operation on Venezuela Fuels Fears of Future Danish Territory Annexation.

The latest US-led strike in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have renewed worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's base have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich landmass following the events in the southern hemisphere.

Provocative Messages and Official Backlash

Only hours following the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking White House adviser, posted a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "COMING."

This overt suggestion to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Danish officials.

"We are close allies and should continue to work together as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."

The diplomat additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.

Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals

The tensions were additionally complicated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."

After the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's actions, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."

Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for national security and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US military base.

Refusing to Rule Out Force

In a notable television interview, the president refused to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying global 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 remarked.

He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."

Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Opposition

In response to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."

The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."

Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to seek independence for many years.

Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?

Military experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy director specializing in military analysis conceded she had once dismissed 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 troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.