US Attack on Venezuela Fuels Anxieties of Future Danish Territory Acquisition.

The latest US-led military action in Venezuela and the capture of its president have sparked unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the vast landmass in the wake of the operations in South America.

Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage

Merely a short time following the start of the Caracas operation, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, posted a symbolic image. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."

This overt suggestion to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Denmark's officials.

"We are close allies and should keep work together as such. American security is also the Arctic's and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."

The ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests

The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."

After the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."

Since returning to office, the American leader has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently houses the northernmost US military base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a notable media appearance, the president declined to rule out the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid growing 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."

Growing Friction and Indigenous Resistance

In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."

The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued 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 shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.

Expert View: A Credible Scenario?

Some analysts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One policy director specializing in military analysis admitted she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."

"It wouldn't be that hard 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.