US Attack on Venezuela Raises Anxieties of Future Danish Territory Annexation.

The recent US-led strike in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have renewed worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Followers of the former president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the vast island following the events in South America.

Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage

Merely hours following the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, posted a suggestive image. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."

This overt suggestion to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm condemnation from Denmark's officials.

"We are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. US 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 United States work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."

The ambassador further highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its defence spending this year, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.

Administrative Moves and Strategic Interests

The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."

Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."

Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed European partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for defence and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a significant television interview, the leader declined to rule out the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during growing great-power rivalry in the polar region. "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 cherish them... But we need that for global security."

Growing Friction and Local Opposition

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

The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."

Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for many years.

Expert View: A Plausible Threat?

Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in defence admitted she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."

"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.