American Military Operation on Venezuela Stokes Fears of Potential Danish Territory Annexation.

The latest US-led strike in the South American nation and the detention of its president have sparked worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the vast island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.

Inflammatory Messages and Official Outrage

Only hours following the start of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking White House adviser, shared a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic caption: "COMING."

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

"We are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the Arctic."

The ambassador further highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its defence spending this year, allocating a large amount expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Political Moves and Strategic Interests

The situation were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."

After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's decisive move, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."

Ever since assuming office, the American leader has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a notable television appearance, the president declined to exclude the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying global 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 remarked.

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

Growing Tensions and Local Opposition

In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."

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."

Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for over a decade.

Analyst Assessment: A Credible Scenario?

Military analysts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in military analysis conceded she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."

"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.