US Attack on Caracas Stokes Fears of Potential Danish Territory Annexation.

The recent US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have ignited unease regarding America's designs on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the vast island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.

Provocative Messages and Official Backlash

Merely hours after the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the American flag, with the single-word message: "SOON."

This overt suggestion to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.

"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."

The diplomat additionally highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its military budget recently, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Northern and regional defence. "And yes, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.

Political Appointments and Strategic Goals

The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."

After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."

Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally strategic for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Military Action

In a notable media interview, the president declined to exclude the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes during intensifying 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 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 Tensions and Indigenous Resistance

In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."

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

Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for many years.

Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?

Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."

"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.