American Attack on Caracas Fuels Fears of Future Danish Territory Acquisition.

Recent US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the detention of its president have renewed unease regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.

Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage

Merely hours after the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House adviser, shared a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."

This overt suggestion to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Danish officials.

"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep work together as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to ensure security in the North."

The ambassador further highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.

Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals

The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."

After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."

Since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the northernmost US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a notable television appearance, the leader refused to exclude the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying global rivalry in the Arctic. "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 value them... But we need that for international security."

Mounting Tensions and Local Opposition

In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."

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

Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.

Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Threat?

Some analysts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst focusing in military analysis admitted she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."

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