US Attack on Venezuela Fuels Fears of Future Greenland Acquisition.

The recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the detention of its president have renewed unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.

Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage

Only hours following the start of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, shared a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."

This overt suggestion to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.

"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. American security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to ensure security in the North."

The diplomat additionally highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a large amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.

Political Moves and Geopolitical Goals

The tensions were further 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 "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."

Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."

Since returning to office, the American leader has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already houses the northernmost US air base.

Refusing to Rule Out Military Action

In a notable television appearance, the leader refused to exclude the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during growing global rivalry 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 described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."

Mounting Friction and Indigenous Opposition

In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."

The prime ministers 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."

Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.

Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?

Military experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."

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