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

The latest American bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island following the operations in South America.

Provocative Posts and Official Backlash

Only hours after the commencement of the Caracas operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, with the cryptic message: "COMING."

This overt threat to absorb the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.

"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. American security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."

The ambassador additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially boosted its defence spending this year, allocating a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we expect complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.

Political Appointments and Geopolitical Goals

The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."

After the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's decisive move, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."

Since returning to office, the American leader has consistently unnerved transatlantic allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically important for national security and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a significant media interview, the leader refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid growing great-power 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 cherish them... But we need that for global security."

Growing Friction and Local Resistance

In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."

The leaders of both Greenland issued a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."

Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for over a decade.

Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?

Some experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis admitted she had previously dismissed 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 couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.