American Attack on Venezuela Fuels Concerns of Future Greenland Acquisition.

The latest American military action in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have ignited worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the vast landmass in the wake of the operations in South America.

Provocative Messages and Official Outrage

Merely a short time after the initiation of the Caracas operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior White House adviser, posted a suggestive map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "COMING."

This blatant suggestion to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and firm condemnation from Danish representatives.

"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. American security is also the Arctic's and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to ensure security in the North."

The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had significantly increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a large sum specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we expect full recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.

Political Moves and Geopolitical Goals

The situation were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."

After the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."

Since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved European allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.

Refusing to Rule Out Military Action

In a notable television appearance, the president refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying 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 stated.

He characterized 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."

Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Resistance

In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."

The leaders of Denmark and 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 shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years.

Expert View: A Plausible Threat?

Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One policy director focusing in military analysis conceded she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."

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