American Attack on Venezuela Stokes Anxieties of Future Danish Territory Annexation.

The recent US-led strike in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have sparked worry regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's base have reportedly set their sights on the strategically important island following the operations in South America.

Inflammatory Posts and Official Backlash

Only a short time after the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, shared a symbolic image. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by cryptic caption: "COMING."

This blatant threat to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and firm criticism from Denmark's representatives.

"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."

The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had substantially increased its defence spending this year, allocating a large sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.

Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Goals

The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."

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

Since returning to office, the American leader has consistently alarmed European partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US air base.

Refusing to Rule Out Force

In a notable television appearance, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying global 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 remarked.

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

Mounting Friction and Local Opposition

In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."

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

Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.

Expert View: A Credible Threat?

Some experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence admitted she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."

"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.