American Military Operation on Venezuela Fuels Anxieties of Future Greenland Acquisition.

Recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the capture of its president have ignited apprehension regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the strategically important island following the events in South America.

Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage

Merely a short time following the initiation of the Caracas operation, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, shared a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by cryptic caption: "SOON."

This blatant threat to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Danish officials.

"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to work together as such. American 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 boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.

Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals

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

Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's actions, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."

Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently alarmed European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US military base.

Refusing to Rule Out Military Action

In a notable television interview, the president refused to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid growing great-power rivalry 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 described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."

Mounting Tensions and Local Opposition

In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary 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 must not take over other countries."

Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for over a decade.

Expert Assessment: A Credible Scenario?

Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis admitted she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."

"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.