US Military Operation on Caracas Fuels Fears of Future Danish Territory Annexation.

Recent US-led strike in the South American nation and the detention of its president have sparked unease regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's base have reportedly set their sights on the vast island following the operations in South America.

Inflammatory Posts and Official Backlash

Only hours after the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, posted a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."

This blatant threat to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.

"We are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the North."

The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its defence spending this year, earmarking a large sum expressly for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.

Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals

The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."

After the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."

Since returning to office, the American leader has consistently unnerved European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It currently houses the northernmost US military base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a significant television appearance, the leader refused to exclude the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance 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 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."

Growing Tensions and Local Opposition

In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."

The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."

Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years.

Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?

Some experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in military analysis admitted she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."

"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.