American Military Operation on Venezuela Stokes Concerns of Potential Danish Territory Acquisition.

The latest American strike in Venezuela and the detention of its president have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the strategically important landmass following the operations in South America.

Provocative Messages and Official Outrage

Merely hours after the initiation of the Caracas operation, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, posted a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the American flag, with the single-word message: "COMING."

This overt suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and firm criticism from Danish officials.

"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. American 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 ensure security in the North."

The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had significantly increased its defence spending this year, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.

Political Appointments and Strategic Goals

The situation were further complicated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."

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

Since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for national security and potential resource extraction. It currently hosts the northernmost US military base.

Refusing to Rule Out Force

In a notable television appearance, the president declined to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid growing 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 cherish them... But we need that for global security."

Growing Tensions and Local Resistance

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

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."

Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents desire independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.

Expert View: A Credible Scenario?

Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis admitted she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."

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