US Attack on Venezuela Stokes Fears of Future Danish Territory Acquisition.

The recent American strike in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have sparked worry regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's base have allegedly focused on the strategically important landmass following the operations in South America.

Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash

Only a short time following the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is married to a senior White House adviser, shared a suggestive image. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "COMING."

This blatant suggestion to absorb the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm criticism from Danish representatives.

"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is also the Arctic's and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."

The ambassador additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial sum specifically for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.

Political Appointments and Strategic Interests

The situation were further complicated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."

After the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's actions, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."

Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for national security and potential resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base.

Refusing to Rule Out Force

In a notable television interview, the president declined to exclude the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid growing great-power 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 stated.

He described 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 international security."

Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance

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

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

Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.

Analyst View: A Credible Threat?

Some analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis conceded she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."

"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.