US Attack on Venezuela Fuels Anxieties of Future Greenland Acquisition.

Recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have ignited apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the operations in South America.

Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash

Merely a short time following the start of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, posted a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "COMING."

This overt threat to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Danish officials.

"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the Arctic."

The ambassador additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget recently, allocating a large sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.

Political Moves and Strategic Interests

The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."

Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."

Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the most northerly US military base.

Leaving the Door Open to Military Action

In a notable media appearance, the president refused to rule out the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying global 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 described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."

Mounting Tensions and Local Opposition

In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."

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

Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for over a decade.

Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?

Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One policy analyst focusing in military analysis conceded she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."

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