US Attack on Caracas Stokes Concerns of Potential Danish Territory Annexation.

The recent American strike in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have sparked apprehension regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's base have reportedly focused on the vast island in the wake of the operations in South America.

Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash

Merely a short time after the commencement of the Caracas operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, posted a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."

This blatant suggestion to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and firm criticism from Denmark's officials.

"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the North."

The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a large sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.

Political Appointments and Geopolitical Goals

The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."

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

Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.

Refusing to Rule Out Force

In a notable television appearance, the president refused to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during growing great-power competition 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 value them... But we need that for global security."

Growing Friction and Local Opposition

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

The leaders of both Greenland delivered a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."

Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants desire independence from Denmark, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.

Expert Assessment: A Plausible Threat?

Military analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director focusing in military analysis admitted she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently 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.