American Attack on Venezuela Raises Anxieties of Potential Danish Territory Annexation.

The recent American military action in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have renewed worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the strategically important island following the events in South America.

Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage

Only hours after the commencement of the Caracas operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, posted a symbolic image. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "COMING."

This overt suggestion to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and firm condemnation from Danish officials.

"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. American security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the North."

The diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending this year, allocating a large amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.

Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals

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

Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."

Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a significant media appearance, the leader refused to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance 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 remarked.

He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."

Growing Friction and Local Opposition

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

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

Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.

Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?

Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst specializing in defence conceded she had once discounted 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 on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.