US Military Operation on Venezuela Fuels Fears of Potential Danish Territory Takeover.

The latest US-led strike in Venezuela and the capture of its president have renewed unease regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the vast island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.

Provocative Posts and Official Outrage

Only a short time following the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House adviser, shared a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."

This overt threat to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.

"We are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."

The ambassador further highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget this year, earmarking a large amount expressly for Northern and regional security. "And yes, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests

The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."

Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."

Since returning to office, the American leader has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for national security and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the northernmost US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a significant television interview, the leader refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid growing 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."

Growing Tensions and Local Resistance

In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."

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

Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the option to declare independence for many years.

Expert Assessment: A Credible Threat?

Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis admitted she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."

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