US Military Operation on Venezuela Stokes Concerns of Future Danish Territory Annexation.

The recent American bombardment in Venezuela and the capture of its president have sparked worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the vast island following the events in South America.

Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash

Only hours after the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a senior White House aide, shared a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "SOON."

This overt suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.

"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to guarantee security in the North."

The ambassador further highlighted that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget this year, allocating a substantial amount specifically for Northern and regional defence. "And yes, we expect complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.

Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests

The situation were further complicated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."

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

Since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for national security and potential resource extraction. It already houses the northernmost US air base.

Refusing to Rule Out Military Action

In a significant television interview, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying 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 stated.

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

Mounting Friction and Indigenous Opposition

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

The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."

Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.

Expert View: A Credible Threat?

Military experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst specializing in military analysis admitted she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."

"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.