US Military Operation on Venezuela Raises Anxieties of Future Danish Territory Takeover.

The latest US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have renewed worry regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's base have reportedly set their sights on the vast island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.

Inflammatory Messages and Official Outrage

Merely hours after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a suggestive map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic caption: "SOON."

This blatant suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.

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

The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget this year, earmarking a large sum specifically for Northern and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.

Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests

The situation were further complicated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."

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

Since returning to office, the American leader has consistently unnerved European allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.

Refusing to Rule Out Military Action

In a notable television appearance, the president declined to exclude the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."

Growing Tensions and Indigenous Opposition

In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."

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

Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek independence for many years.

Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?

Military experts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One policy director specializing in defence admitted she had once 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 couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.