US Military Operation on Venezuela Fuels Concerns of Potential Danish Territory Takeover.

The latest US-led strike in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have renewed worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the former president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.

Provocative Posts and Official Backlash

Only a short time following the start of the Caracas operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House adviser, posted a symbolic image. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."

This blatant threat to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Danish officials.

"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to ensure security in the Arctic."

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

Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests

The situation were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."

After the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."

Since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.

Refusing to Rule Out Military Action

In a notable television appearance, the leader declined to rule out the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid growing 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 stated.

He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."

Growing Friction and Indigenous Resistance

In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish security agency 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 cannot take over other countries."

Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for many years.

Expert View: A Plausible Threat?

Some analysts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One policy director specializing in defence conceded she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."

"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.