US Attack on Venezuela Fuels Anxieties of Future Greenland Acquisition.

Recent American military action in Venezuela and the detention of its president have renewed unease regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich island in the wake of the events in South America.

Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Outrage

Merely a short time after the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, shared a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "COMING."

This overt suggestion to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm condemnation from Denmark's representatives.

"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."

The diplomat additionally highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending recently, allocating a large amount specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.

Political Moves and Strategic Interests

The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."

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

Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the northernmost US military base.

Refusing to Rule Out Force

In a notable media appearance, the president declined to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance 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 characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."

Mounting Friction and Indigenous Opposition

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

The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."

Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek sovereignty for many years.

Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?

Military analysts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in defence conceded she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."

"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.