American Attack on Venezuela Raises Anxieties of Future Greenland Acquisition.

The recent American bombardment in Venezuela and the detention of its president have ignited worry regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the vast landmass in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.

Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage

Merely a short time following the initiation of the Caracas operation, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, posted a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic message: "COMING."

This blatant suggestion to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Danish representatives.

"We are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."

The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget recently, earmarking a large amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand full recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Political Moves and Strategic Interests

The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."

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

Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base.

Refusing to Rule Out Military Action

In a significant media appearance, the president declined to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying great-power competition in the Arctic. "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 value them... But we need that for global security."

Growing Friction and Indigenous Opposition

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

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

Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.

Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?

Military analysts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence admitted she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."

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