American Military Operation on Venezuela Raises Concerns of Potential Danish Territory Acquisition.

The recent US-led strike in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have sparked worry regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the vast landmass in the wake of the operations in South America.

Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Outrage

Only hours after the start of the Caracas operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House adviser, posted a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "SOON."

This blatant suggestion to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.

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

The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.

Political Appointments and Geopolitical Goals

The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."

Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."

Since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved European partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a significant television appearance, the president declined to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying great-power competition 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 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 Opposition

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

The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."

Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents desire independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant desire to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek independence for over a decade.

Expert View: A Credible Threat?

Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director specializing in defence admitted she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."

"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.