American Attack on Venezuela Stokes Anxieties of Potential Greenland Acquisition.

The recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have renewed unease regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's base have allegedly focused on the vast island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.

Inflammatory Messages and Official Outrage

Merely hours following the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, posted a symbolic image. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."

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

"We are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to guarantee security in the North."

The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial sum specifically for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.

Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals

The situation were additionally complicated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."

Following the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's decisive move, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."

Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the northernmost US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Military Action

In a significant television appearance, the leader refused to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid growing 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 stated.

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

Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance

In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."

The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a joint and stern 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 nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire independence from Denmark, there is also scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.

Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?

Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst specializing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."

"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.