US Military Operation on Venezuela Stokes Concerns of Future Greenland Acquisition.

The recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the capture of its president have ignited worry regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly focused on the strategically important landmass in the wake of the operations in South America.

Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Backlash

Merely a short time following the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House adviser, posted a suggestive image. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "COMING."

This overt suggestion to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Denmark's officials.

"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is also Greenland’s and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."

The ambassador further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget this year, earmarking a substantial sum specifically for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Interests

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

After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."

Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically important for national security and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Military Action

In a notable television interview, the president refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during growing global 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 international security."

Growing Friction and Local Resistance

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

The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."

Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents seek 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 many years.

Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?

Some experts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst focusing in military analysis 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 couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.