American Military Operation on Venezuela Stokes Fears of Future Danish Territory Acquisition.

The recent American military action in Venezuela and the capture of its president have ignited worry regarding America's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's base have reportedly focused on the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.

Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash

Merely hours after the start of the Caracas campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, posted a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."

This overt threat to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and firm condemnation from Denmark's representatives.

"We are strong partners and should keep work together as such. US security is also Greenland’s and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the North."

The ambassador additionally pointed out that the kingdom had significantly boosted its military budget this year, allocating a substantial amount specifically for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.

Administrative Moves and Strategic Interests

The tensions were further complicated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."

Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."

Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US military base.

Refusing to Rule Out Military Action

In a notable media interview, the president refused to exclude the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during growing 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 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."

Growing Friction and Local Resistance

In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."

The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a joint and stern rebuke: "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 inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years.

Expert View: A Credible Scenario?

Some experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."

"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.