American Attack on Venezuela Fuels Concerns of Future Greenland Acquisition.

The recent US-led military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have renewed worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly focused on the strategically important island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.

Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage

Only hours following the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House adviser, shared a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "SOON."

This overt threat to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Denmark's representatives.

"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to guarantee security in the North."

The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget this year, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.

Political Moves and Strategic Goals

The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."

Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."

Since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically important for defence and future resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.

Refusing to Rule Out Military Action

In a significant media interview, the president refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance 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 look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."

Mounting Friction and Local Resistance

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

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

Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.

Expert View: A Credible Scenario?

Some experts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director focusing in military analysis admitted she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."

"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.