US Military Operation on Venezuela Raises Anxieties of Future Danish Territory Acquisition.

The latest US-led military action in Venezuela and the capture of its president have renewed worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich island in the wake of the operations in South America.

Provocative Messages and Official Outrage

Only hours after the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, posted a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the American flag, with the single-word caption: "COMING."

This blatant suggestion to absorb the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Danish officials.

"We are close allies and should continue to work together as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to guarantee security in the North."

The ambassador additionally highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending this year, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.

Political Appointments and Geopolitical Goals

The situation were further complicated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."

Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."

Since returning to office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a significant media appearance, the leader refused to rule out the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid growing global 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 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 international security."

Mounting Tensions and Local Opposition

In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."

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

Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek independence for over a decade.

Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?

Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One policy director focusing in military analysis conceded she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."

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