US Attack on Caracas Fuels Anxieties of Future Danish Territory Annexation.

Recent American military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have sparked unease regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the strategically important island following the events in South America.

Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash

Only hours after the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, posted a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."

This blatant threat to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's officials.

"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to ensure security in the North."

The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget recently, allocating a substantial sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.

Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests

The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."

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

Since returning to office, the American leader has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for defence and potential resource extraction. It already houses the northernmost US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Military Action

In a notable television appearance, the president declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during growing global competition 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 characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."

Growing Friction and Local Resistance

In reaction to this persistent "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 Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and stern rebuke: "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 vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire independence from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek sovereignty for many years.

Expert Assessment: A Plausible Threat?

Military experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in defence conceded she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."

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