US Military Operation on Venezuela Raises Fears of Potential Greenland Acquisition.

Recent American bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have sparked worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the strategically important island in the wake of the operations in South America.

Provocative Posts and Official Backlash

Merely a short time following the start of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "COMING."

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

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

The ambassador further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially increased its military budget recently, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.

Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests

The tensions were further complicated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."

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

Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a notable media appearance, the president refused to exclude the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying global 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 characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."

Growing Friction and Local Opposition

In response to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, 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 cannot take over other countries."

Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.

Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Threat?

Some analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis conceded she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."

"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.