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

Recent American bombardment in the South American nation and the detention of its president have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's base have allegedly focused on the strategically important island in the wake of the operations in South America.

Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash

Only hours after the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior White House aide, shared a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."

This overt suggestion to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.

"We are close allies and should keep cooperate 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 ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget this year, allocating a substantial sum expressly for Northern and regional security. "And yes, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.

Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests

The situation were further complicated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."

Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's actions, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."

Since assuming office, the American leader has consistently unnerved European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the northernmost US military base.

Refusing to Rule Out Force

In a notable media interview, the president declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying great-power rivalry 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 stated.

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 global security."

Mounting Tensions and Local Resistance

In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."

The leaders of both Greenland delivered a joint 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 complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for many years.

Expert View: A Credible Scenario?

Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One policy director focusing in military analysis conceded she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."

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