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

Recent US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the detention of its president have ignited apprehension regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly focused on the resource-rich island following the events in the southern hemisphere.

Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Backlash

Merely hours after the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."

This overt threat to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and firm criticism from Danish representatives.

"We are close allies and should keep work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’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 further pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget this year, allocating a substantial amount specifically for Northern and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.

Political Appointments and Strategic Interests

The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."

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

Since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically important for defence and potential resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US air base.

Refusing to Rule Out Force

In a notable media interview, the president declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid growing great-power rivalry 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."

Mounting Friction and Indigenous Opposition

In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."

The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a joint 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 desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.

Expert View: A Credible Threat?

Some experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence admitted she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."

"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.