US Military Operation on Venezuela Fuels Concerns of Potential Greenland Acquisition.

The latest American strike in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have ignited apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly focused on the vast island following the operations in South America.

Provocative Messages and Official Outrage

Only hours after the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, posted a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the American flag, with the single-word caption: "SOON."

This overt threat to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm condemnation from Danish officials.

"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep work together as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the North."

The diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget this year, allocating a large amount expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.

Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals

The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."

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

Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for defence and potential resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Military Action

In a notable television appearance, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying great-power competition in the polar region. "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 international security."

Growing Friction and Indigenous Opposition

In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."

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

Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.

Expert View: A Credible Threat?

Military experts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."

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