American Attack on Venezuela Raises Concerns of Future Greenland Acquisition.

Recent US-led strike in the South American nation and the detention of its president have ignited apprehension regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly focused on the resource-rich island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.

Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash

Merely hours after the start of the Caracas campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, posted a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."

This overt suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Danish officials.

"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the North."

The diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its military budget recently, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Northern and regional defence. "And yes, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.

Administrative Moves and Strategic Interests

The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."

After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."

Since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a significant television appearance, the president refused to rule out the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid 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 global security."

Growing Friction and Local Opposition

In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."

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 take over other countries."

Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare independence for many years.

Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Threat?

Some analysts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director focusing in military analysis admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "now 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 concluded.