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

The recent American military action in Venezuela and the detention of its president have sparked unease regarding America's designs on Greenland. Members of the former president's base have allegedly focused on the strategically important landmass in the wake of the operations in South America.

Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage

Merely hours after the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House aide, posted a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic caption: "SOON."

This overt suggestion to claim the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm condemnation from Denmark's officials.

"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep work together as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark 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, earmarking a large amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests

The situation were further complicated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."

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

Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently houses the northernmost US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Military Action

In a significant media interview, the president refused to rule out the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during growing great-power 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 stated.

He characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."

Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Resistance

In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's security agency 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 stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."

Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for many years.

Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Threat?

Some analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence conceded she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "currently 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 observed.