US Attack on Venezuela Raises Fears of Potential Danish Territory Annexation.

Recent US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have renewed worry regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly focused on the resource-rich island in the wake of the operations in South America.

Provocative Messages and Official Backlash

Merely hours following the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "COMING."

This overt suggestion to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm criticism from Danish representatives.

"We are close allies and should continue to work together 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 collaborate to ensure security in the North."

The diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending this year, earmarking a large sum specifically for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.

Political Moves and Strategic Goals

The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."

After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."

Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory 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 significant media interview, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."

Growing Friction and Local Opposition

In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."

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

Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years.

Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?

Military experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence conceded she had once 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 troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.