US Military Operation on Venezuela Stokes Anxieties of Future Greenland Acquisition.

The recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have ignited worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's base have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich landmass following the events in South America.

Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Backlash

Only a short time after the commencement of the Caracas operation, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, posted a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "COMING."

This overt threat to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Danish officials.

"We are close allies and should keep 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 United States work together to ensure security in the Arctic."

The diplomat additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget recently, allocating a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.

Political Moves and Strategic Goals

The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."

Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."

Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the northernmost US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Military Action

In a notable television interview, the president declined to exclude the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid 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 international security."

Mounting Friction and Local Resistance

In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."

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

Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents seek self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years.

Expert View: A Credible Scenario?

Some analysts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."

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