American Military Operation on Venezuela Stokes Concerns of Future Greenland Acquisition.

Recent US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the capture of its president have sparked apprehension regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Members of the former president's political movement have allegedly focused on the strategically important landmass in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.

Inflammatory Posts and Official Backlash

Only hours after the start of the Caracas campaign, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, posted a symbolic image. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "SOON."

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

"We are strong partners and should continue to cooperate 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 collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."

The ambassador additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial sum specifically for Northern and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.

Political Moves and Strategic Interests

The situation were further complicated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."

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

Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally important for defence and future resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a significant media interview, the president declined to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."

Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Resistance

In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."

The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."

Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.

Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?

Military analysts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis conceded she had previously 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 couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.