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

The recent US-led strike in the South American nation and the capture of its president have sparked unease regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's base have reportedly set their sights on the vast landmass following the operations in South America.

Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage

Only a short time following the commencement of the Caracas operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House aide, shared a suggestive map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."

This overt suggestion to absorb the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Danish representatives.

"We are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to ensure security in the Arctic."

The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget this year, allocating a large sum specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.

Political Moves and Strategic Interests

The situation were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."

After the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's decisive move, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."

Since assuming 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 resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a notable television appearance, the president declined to rule out the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This position 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 remarked.

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

Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Resistance

In response to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."

The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and forceful rebuke: "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 vast majority of the territory's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also scant appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare independence for over a decade.

Expert View: A Credible Scenario?

Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."

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