US Military Operation on Venezuela Raises Anxieties of Potential Greenland Acquisition.

Recent US-led military action in Venezuela and the capture of its president have renewed unease regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's base have allegedly set their sights on the vast island in the wake of the operations in South America.

Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage

Merely hours after the commencement of the Caracas operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, shared a symbolic image. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."

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

"We are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to ensure security in the Arctic."

The diplomat additionally highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget this year, earmarking a large sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Goals

The situation were additionally exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."

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

Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally important for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a notable media appearance, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to military force 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."

Growing Friction and Indigenous Opposition

In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."

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

Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.

Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?

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

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