American Military Operation on Venezuela Raises Anxieties of Future Greenland Acquisition.

The latest US-led strike in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have sparked worry regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's base have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich island in the wake of the operations in South America.

Provocative Messages and Official Backlash

Merely a short time following the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a senior White House adviser, shared a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."

This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.

"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."

The ambassador additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its defence spending this year, allocating a large sum specifically for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.

Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Goals

The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."

Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's actions, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."

Ever since returning to office, the American leader has consistently unnerved European partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically important for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It already houses the northernmost US military base.

Refusing to Rule Out Force

In a notable media interview, the president declined to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire 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 stated.

He characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."

Mounting 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 "security risk."

The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."

Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also scant appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.

Analyst Assessment: A Credible Scenario?

Some analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in military analysis admitted she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."

"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.