American Attack on Venezuela Raises Anxieties of Future Danish Territory Acquisition.

Recent US-led military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have sparked apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's base have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich island in the wake of the events in South America.

Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash

Only a short time following the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "SOON."

This blatant threat to claim the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Danish officials.

"We are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."

The ambassador further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially increased its military budget recently, allocating a large sum expressly for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.

Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Goals

The tensions were further complicated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."

After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."

Ever since assuming office, the American leader has consistently unnerved transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for national security and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.

Refusing to Rule Out Force

In a significant media interview, the leader declined to rule out the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during growing global 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 remarked.

He described 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 international security."

Mounting Tensions and Local Opposition

In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Danish 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 rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."

Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for over a decade.

Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?

Military analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One policy director specializing 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 few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.