American Attack on Venezuela Stokes Anxieties of Future Greenland Acquisition.

The recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have sparked worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the strategically important landmass following the operations in South America.

Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Backlash

Merely a short time after the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, shared a suggestive map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "SOON."

This overt threat to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Danish representatives.

"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."

The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget this year, earmarking a large sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.

Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals

The situation were additionally complicated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."

After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."

Since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically strategic for national security and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a notable media appearance, the president refused to exclude the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid growing 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 remarked.

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

Growing Tensions and Local Opposition

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

The leaders of both Greenland delivered a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."

Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. 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 declare independence for many years.

Expert View: A Credible Scenario?

Some analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."

"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.