US Military Operation on Venezuela Raises Fears of Potential Danish Territory Acquisition.

The recent American bombardment in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have ignited unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the vast island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.

Provocative Messages and Official Outrage

Only a short time following the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, posted a suggestive image. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "COMING."

This overt suggestion to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.

"We are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."

The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget this year, allocating a large amount expressly for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.

Political Moves and Strategic Goals

The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."

Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."

Since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically strategic for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.

Leaving the Door Open to Military Action

In a notable television appearance, the president refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying 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 described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."

Mounting Friction and Indigenous Resistance

In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."

The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."

Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.

Expert Assessment: A Credible Scenario?

Some experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One policy analyst specializing in military analysis conceded she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."

"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.