American Attack on Venezuela Fuels Fears of Future Greenland Acquisition.

The recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have sparked worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's base have allegedly set their sights on the strategically important island following the events in South America.

Provocative Posts and Official Backlash

Only a short time following the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House adviser, posted a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."

This overt threat to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and firm condemnation from Danish representatives.

"We are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."

The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget this year, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals

The situation were further complicated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."

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

Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for defence and future resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Military Action

In a significant media interview, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during 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 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."

Mounting Friction and Indigenous Opposition

In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."

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

Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years.

Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Threat?

Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."

"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.