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

The latest American military action in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have sparked worry regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the vast island in the wake of the operations in South America.

Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage

Merely hours after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, posted a suggestive image. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "COMING."

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

"We are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. American security is equally the Arctic'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 North."

The ambassador additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its defence spending this year, earmarking a large amount specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.

Political Moves and Strategic Goals

The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."

After the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."

Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically important for national security and future resource extraction. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.

Refusing to Rule Out Military Action

In a significant media interview, the president refused to exclude the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes during 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 stated.

He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."

Mounting Friction and Local Opposition

In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."

The prime ministers 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 annex other countries."

Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.

Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?

Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence admitted she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."

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