American Military Operation on Caracas Fuels Fears of Future Danish Territory Takeover.

Recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have sparked worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the vast landmass following the events in the southern hemisphere.

Provocative Messages and Official Outrage

Only hours following the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, posted a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "COMING."

This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Danish officials.

"We are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to ensure security in the Arctic."

The diplomat additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a large sum specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.

Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals

The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."

Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."

Since assuming office, the American leader has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the northernmost US military base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a notable media interview, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying great-power rivalry 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 described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."

Growing Friction and Indigenous Opposition

In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Danish 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 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 reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare independence for many years.

Expert View: A Credible Scenario?

Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One policy director focusing in defence conceded she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."

"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.