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

The recent US-led military action in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have ignited worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the vast island following the operations in South America.

Provocative Posts and Official Backlash

Only a short time following the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, shared a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, with the single-word caption: "COMING."

This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and firm criticism from Denmark's officials.

"We are close allies and should keep work together as such. American security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the North."

The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a large sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.

Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals

The tensions were further complicated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."

Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."

Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US military base.

Refusing to Rule Out Force

In a significant media appearance, the president declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of 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 remarked.

He characterized 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."

Mounting Friction and Indigenous Resistance

In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."

The leaders of both Greenland issued a joint 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 complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire independence from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for over a decade.

Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?

Military experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One policy director specializing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "now 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 not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.