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

The latest American strike in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have sparked unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the vast landmass in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.

Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage

Only hours following the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a senior presidential aide, shared a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "SOON."

This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and firm condemnation from Danish officials.

"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to ensure security in the North."

The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget this year, allocating a large sum expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.

Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Goals

The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."

After the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."

Since returning to office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently hosts 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 military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during growing 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 characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."

Growing Tensions and Indigenous Opposition

In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."

The leaders of both Greenland delivered a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."

Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents desire independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for many years.

Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?

Some analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One policy director focusing in military analysis conceded she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."

"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.