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

The latest US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have renewed worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the former president's base have reportedly set their sights on the strategically important landmass in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.

Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash

Merely a short time after the start of the Caracas operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a suggestive map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."

This blatant suggestion to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and firm criticism from Denmark's representatives.

"We are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the Arctic."

The diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its military budget recently, earmarking a large sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.

Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests

The tensions were further complicated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating 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 administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."

Ever since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.

Refusing to Rule Out Force

In a significant television interview, the president refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid growing global 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 remarked.

He characterized 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 Indigenous Resistance

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

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

Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.

Expert View: A Credible Scenario?

Military experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence admitted she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."

"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.