US Attack on Venezuela Fuels Anxieties of Future Danish Territory Acquisition.

Recent US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have sparked apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's base have reportedly set their sights on the vast island following the operations in South America.

Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash

Only a short time after the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House adviser, shared a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."

This overt suggestion to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong condemnation from Denmark's officials.

"We are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. American security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to ensure security in the Arctic."

The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.

Political Moves and Strategic Goals

The situation were additionally complicated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."

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

Since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a significant media appearance, the president declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid 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 described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."

Mounting Friction and Local Resistance

In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."

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

Surveys in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare independence for over a decade.

Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?

Some experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence admitted she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."

"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.