American Military Operation on Venezuela Raises Concerns of Future Danish Territory Takeover.

The recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have sparked worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Followers of the former president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the strategically important landmass following the operations in South America.

Inflammatory Messages and Official Outrage

Merely a short time after the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, posted a symbolic image. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."

This blatant suggestion to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm condemnation from Danish representatives.

"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to work together 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 US collaborate to ensure security in the North."

The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget this year, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.

Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals

The situation were additionally complicated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to serve 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 "war on drugs."

Ever since returning to office, the American leader has consistently unnerved European allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically important for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a significant television appearance, the leader refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying great-power 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 "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 Opposition

In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."

The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a joint and forceful statement: "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 overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also scant appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for many years.

Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?

Military analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst specializing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."

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