US Military Operation on Caracas Stokes Fears of Potential Greenland Acquisition.

Recent American military action in Venezuela and the detention of its president have sparked apprehension regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.

Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash

Merely a short time after the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."

This overt suggestion to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Danish officials.

"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."

The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a large amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.

Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests

The situation were further complicated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."

After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."

Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US military base.

Refusing to Rule Out Military Action

In a notable television interview, the president declined to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during 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 stated.

He characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."

Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance

In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."

The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."

Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for many years.

Expert View: A Credible Scenario?

Military analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis admitted she had previously dismissed 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 who could do anything about it," she observed.