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

The recent US-led military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have renewed worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the vast landmass in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.

Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash

Merely hours following the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, shared a symbolic image. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "COMING."

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

"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."

The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget this year, allocating a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.

Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests

The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."

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

Since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically important for national security and future resource extraction. It already houses the northernmost US air base.

Refusing to Rule Out Force

In a significant media interview, the president refused to rule out the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying global 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 stated.

He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."

Mounting Friction and Local Opposition

In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."

The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."

Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.

Analyst Assessment: A Credible Threat?

Some experts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst specializing in military analysis conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."

"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.