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

The latest US-led military action in Venezuela and the detention of its president have ignited apprehension regarding America's designs on Greenland. Followers of the former president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the strategically important landmass following the operations in the southern hemisphere.

Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash

Only hours after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House aide, shared a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."

This overt suggestion to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm criticism from Denmark's representatives.

"We are strong partners and should keep work together as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."

The diplomat additionally pointed out that the kingdom had significantly boosted its military budget recently, allocating a substantial sum expressly for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.

Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests

The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."

Following the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."

Ever since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally strategic for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.

Refusing to Rule Out Military Action

In a significant television appearance, the president declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying 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 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."

Growing Friction and Local Resistance

In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."

The leaders of both Greenland issued a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."

Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire independence from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to seek independence for many years.

Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?

Military analysts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in military analysis admitted she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."

"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.