American Attack on Caracas Fuels Anxieties of Potential Danish Territory Annexation.

The recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have renewed worry regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the vast landmass in the wake of the events in South America.

Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Backlash

Merely a short time after the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior presidential aide, posted a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the cryptic caption: "SOON."

This overt threat to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong condemnation from Denmark's officials.

"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to work together as such. US security is also Greenland’s and our security," stated 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 additionally highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Political Appointments and Strategic Goals

The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."

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

Ever since returning to office, the American leader has consistently alarmed European allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.

Refusing to Rule Out Military Action

In a significant media interview, the leader refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during growing 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 stated.

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

Growing Friction and Indigenous Resistance

In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."

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

Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare independence for many years.

Expert View: A Plausible Threat?

Some analysts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in military analysis 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 couple hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.