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

Recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have renewed unease regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Followers of the former president's political movement have allegedly focused on the vast landmass following the operations in South America.

Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash

Only a short time after the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is married to a senior White House aide, posted a suggestive image. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."

This blatant suggestion to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.

"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."

The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its defence spending this year, earmarking a large amount specifically for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Political Appointments and Geopolitical Goals

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

After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's actions, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."

Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for national security and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.

Refusing to Rule Out Military Action

In a significant television appearance, the president refused to rule out the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying 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 characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."

Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance

In response to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling 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 shows a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants desire independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.

Expert Assessment: A Credible Threat?

Military analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis admitted she had previously discounted 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.