American Attack on Venezuela Fuels Fears of Future Danish Territory Acquisition.

The recent US-led military action in Venezuela and the detention of its president have sparked worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich island following the operations in South America.

Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage

Only hours following the start of the Caracas operation, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, shared a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "COMING."

This blatant threat to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm condemnation from Danish representatives.

"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to work together as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."

The ambassador additionally highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a large sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we expect complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.

Political Moves and Strategic Interests

The situation were additionally complicated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."

Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."

Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the northernmost US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Military Action

In a notable media appearance, the leader refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying great-power 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 cherish them... But we need that for global security."

Mounting Friction and Local Resistance

In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."

The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."

Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.

Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?

Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy director specializing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."

"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.