US Attack on Venezuela Stokes Concerns of Potential Greenland Acquisition.

The latest US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the capture of its president have ignited unease regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the former president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the strategically important island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.

Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash

Only hours following the start of the Caracas operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a senior White House adviser, shared a suggestive map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "SOON."

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

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

The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial sum specifically for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.

Political Appointments and Strategic Goals

The situation were further complicated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."

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

Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the northernmost US military base.

Refusing to Rule Out Force

In a notable television interview, the president refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying global 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 characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."

Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance

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

The prime ministers 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 annex other countries."

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

Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?

Military experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One policy director focusing in defence conceded 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 troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.