American Military Operation on Venezuela Fuels Fears of Potential Danish Territory Acquisition.

The latest American bombardment in the South American nation and the detention of its president have ignited worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's base have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.

Provocative Messages and Official Backlash

Only a short time following the start of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "SOON."

This blatant suggestion to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Danish officials.

"We are close allies and should keep 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 work together to guarantee security in the North."

The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget recently, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.

Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests

The tensions were additionally complicated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."

Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."

Since assuming office, the American leader has consistently alarmed European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US military base.

Refusing to Rule Out Force

In a notable television interview, the president refused to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during growing 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."

Mounting Tensions and Local Resistance

In response to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."

The prime ministers 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 annex other countries."

Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.

Analyst Assessment: A Credible Threat?

Military analysts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence admitted she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."

"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.