American Military Operation on Venezuela Stokes Anxieties of Potential Greenland Acquisition.

The recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the strategically important island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.

Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash

Merely hours following the start of the Caracas campaign, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior White House aide, posted a symbolic image. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."

This overt suggestion to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Danish representatives.

"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."

The ambassador additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending recently, allocating a large sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals

The tensions were further complicated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."

Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."

Since assuming office, the American leader has consistently alarmed European partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the most northerly US military base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a notable media interview, the president refused to rule out the use of military force 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 remarked.

He characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."

Mounting Friction and Local Opposition

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

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

Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare independence for over a decade.

Expert View: A Plausible Threat?

Military analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One policy director focusing in defence admitted she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."

"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.