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

The recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have sparked worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.

Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash

Merely hours after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, shared a suggestive map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."

This overt suggestion to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Danish officials.

"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."

The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its defence spending this year, allocating a large amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.

Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests

The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."

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

Since returning to office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically important for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a significant television interview, the president declined to exclude the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying global rivalry 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 look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."

Mounting Friction and Local Resistance

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

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

Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for over a decade.

Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?

Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst 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 couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.