American Military Operation on Venezuela Stokes Anxieties of Future Danish Territory Acquisition.

The latest US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its president have sparked worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the vast island following the events in South America.

Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage

Merely a short time following the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House adviser, posted a suggestive map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."

This overt threat to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.

"We are strong partners and should keep work together as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to guarantee security in the North."

The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its military budget this year, allocating a substantial amount specifically for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we expect complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals

The situation were additionally complicated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."

Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."

Since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for defence and potential resource extraction. It already houses the northernmost US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a notable television interview, the president declined to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying global 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 remarked.

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 global security."

Growing Friction and Local Opposition

In response to this constant "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 Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."

Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for over a decade.

Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Threat?

Some experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One policy director focusing in military analysis admitted she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."

"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.