US Attack on Caracas Fuels Concerns of Potential Greenland Acquisition.

The latest US-led military action in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have renewed worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the vast island following the operations in South America.

Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage

Only a short time following the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior White House aide, shared a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."

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

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

The diplomat additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending recently, allocating a large amount specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.

Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals

The tensions were further complicated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."

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

Since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the northernmost US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a significant media appearance, the president refused to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying 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 described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."

Growing Friction and Local Opposition

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 both Greenland issued 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 shows a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.

Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Threat?

Some experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."

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