American Military Operation on Venezuela Fuels Anxieties of Future Danish Territory Acquisition.

The recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have ignited apprehension regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the former president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.

Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage

Merely a short time following the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior presidential aide, shared a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by cryptic caption: "SOON."

This blatant threat to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Denmark's representatives.

"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the North."

The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget recently, allocating a large amount expressly for Northern and regional security. "And yes, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.

Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Interests

The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."

Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."

Since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US military base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a notable television interview, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid 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 described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."

Mounting Tensions and Local Resistance

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

The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."

Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.

Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?

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

"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.