US Military Operation on Venezuela Stokes Concerns of Future Danish Territory Acquisition.

The latest US-led strike in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have sparked worry regarding America's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the events in South America.

Provocative Posts and Official Outrage

Merely hours following the start of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, shared a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic message: "SOON."

This blatant suggestion to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.

"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."

The ambassador additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially increased its defence spending this year, earmarking a substantial sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Goals

The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."

Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."

Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.

Refusing to Rule Out Military Action

In a significant television appearance, the leader refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes during growing great-power 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 take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."

Mounting Friction and Indigenous Resistance

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

The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."

Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare independence for many years.

Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?

Some analysts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One policy analyst specializing in defence conceded she had previously discounted 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 inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.