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

The latest US-led strike in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have renewed unease regarding America's designs on Greenland. Members of the former president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich landmass following the events in the southern hemisphere.

Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Outrage

Merely hours following the initiation of the Caracas operation, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is married to a senior White House aide, posted a symbolic image. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "SOON."

This overt suggestion to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm criticism from Denmark's representatives.

"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and our 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 significantly increased its defence spending this year, allocating a large amount specifically for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.

Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests

The tensions were additionally complicated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."

Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's decisive move, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."

Ever since returning to office, the American leader has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US military base.

Leaving the Door Open to Military Action

In a notable media interview, the president refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance 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 described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."

Growing Friction and Local Resistance

In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."

The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued 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 complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.

Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?

Military analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in defence admitted she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."

"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.