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

Recent US-led strike in the South American nation and the detention of its president have renewed apprehension regarding America's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's base have allegedly focused on the resource-rich island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.

Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Outrage

Only a short time after the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House aide, shared a suggestive image. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."

This overt suggestion to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Danish officials.

"Denmark and the US 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 guarantee security in the Arctic."

The diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its military budget this year, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.

Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Interests

The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."

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

Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the northernmost US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Military Action

In a notable media interview, the president refused to exclude the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid growing 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 stated.

He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."

Mounting Friction and Local Opposition

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

The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."

Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire independence from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.

Expert View: A Plausible Threat?

Some experts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst focusing in military analysis conceded she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."

"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.