American Attack on Venezuela Raises Anxieties of Potential Greenland Acquisition.

The recent US-led military action in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have renewed worry regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's base have reportedly set their sights on the strategically important island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.

Provocative Messages and Official Backlash

Merely a short time after the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, posted a suggestive map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the American flag, with the cryptic message: "COMING."

This blatant suggestion to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.

"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."

The ambassador further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly boosted its military budget recently, allocating a large sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Interests

The situation were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."

After the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."

Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically important for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently houses the northernmost US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a notable media interview, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes during intensifying great-power 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."

Growing Tensions and Local Opposition

In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."

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

Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for many years.

Analyst View: A Credible Threat?

Some analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."

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