US Attack on Venezuela Raises Concerns of Potential Greenland Acquisition.

The latest US-led strike in the South American nation and the detention of its president have sparked apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's base have allegedly set their sights on the vast landmass in the wake of the events in South America.

Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Outrage

Merely hours after the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a senior presidential aide, shared a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic message: "COMING."

This overt suggestion to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and firm criticism from Danish officials.

"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. American security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the North."

The diplomat additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially increased its defence spending this year, earmarking a large sum expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests

The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."

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

Since returning to office, the American leader has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US air base.

Refusing to Rule Out Military Action

In a significant television interview, the president declined to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying global 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 characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."

Growing Friction and Indigenous Resistance

In reaction 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 statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."

Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare independence for many years.

Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?

Military experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."

"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.