American Attack on Venezuela Stokes Anxieties of Future Danish Territory Acquisition.

The recent US-led military action in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have sparked unease regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's base have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.

Inflammatory Messages and Official Outrage

Merely hours after the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a senior presidential aide, posted a suggestive map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "SOON."

This blatant threat to claim the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.

"We are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to ensure security in the Arctic."

The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its military budget this year, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.

Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals

The situation were additionally complicated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."

After the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."

Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently alarmed European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently houses the northernmost US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Military Action

In a notable media appearance, the president declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."

Growing Friction and Indigenous Resistance

In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."

The leaders of both Greenland delivered a joint 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 shows a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants desire independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare independence for many years.

Expert View: A Credible Threat?

Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."

"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.