US Military Operation on Venezuela Raises Anxieties of Potential Danish Territory Annexation.

The recent US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the detention of its president have renewed unease regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's base have reportedly focused on the vast island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.

Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage

Merely a short time following the start of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, shared a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, with the single-word message: "COMING."

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

"We are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to ensure security in the North."

The diplomat additionally highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its defence spending this year, allocating a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.

Political Appointments and Strategic Goals

The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."

Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."

Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically important for defence and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US military base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a notable media interview, the president refused to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying great-power 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 remarked.

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

Growing Friction and Indigenous Resistance

In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling 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 cannot annex other countries."

Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for many years.

Expert Assessment: A Credible Scenario?

Military analysts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One policy director focusing in defence conceded she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."

"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.