US Military Operation on Venezuela Stokes Fears of Future Danish Territory Takeover.

Recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the capture of its president have ignited unease regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Members of the former president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the strategically important landmass following the operations in the southern hemisphere.

Inflammatory Messages and Official Outrage

Merely hours after the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, shared a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."

This overt threat to absorb the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Danish officials.

"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also Greenland’s and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to ensure security in the Arctic."

The diplomat additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals

The situation were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."

Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."

Since assuming office, the American leader has consistently alarmed European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically important for national security and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the northernmost US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Military Action

In a significant television interview, the president refused to rule out the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during growing great-power rivalry 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 remarked.

He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."

Mounting Friction and Indigenous Resistance

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

The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered 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 reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.

Expert View: A Plausible Threat?

Military analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director specializing in military analysis admitted she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."

"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.