American Military Operation on Venezuela Raises Fears of Potential Danish Territory Takeover.

The latest US-led strike in the South American nation and the detention of its president have sparked unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's base have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich island following the events in South America.

Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash

Merely hours following the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, with the single-word message: "SOON."

This blatant suggestion to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Danish officials.

"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."

The ambassador additionally pointed out that the kingdom had significantly boosted its defence spending this year, allocating a large sum specifically for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.

Political Appointments and Strategic Interests

The situation were further complicated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."

After the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."

Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently alarmed European allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for national security and potential resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US military base.

Leaving the Door Open to Military Action

In a notable television appearance, the president declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid growing 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 characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."

Growing Tensions and Local Resistance

In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."

The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."

Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.

Expert View: A Credible Scenario?

Some analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One policy director focusing in defence conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."

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