US Military Operation on Venezuela Raises Anxieties of Potential Greenland Acquisition.

The latest American strike in Venezuela and the detention of its president have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the strategically important landmass following the operations in the southern hemisphere.

Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash

Merely hours following the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House adviser, posted a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."

This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Denmark's representatives.

"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."

The ambassador additionally highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget this year, allocating a large amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.

Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Goals

The situation were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."

Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's decisive move, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."

Since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.

Refusing to Rule Out Military Action

In a significant media appearance, the president refused to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during growing global competition 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 stated.

He characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."

Growing Tensions and Local Resistance

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

The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."

Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire independence from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek sovereignty for over a decade.

Expert Assessment: A Credible Threat?

Military experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One policy analyst specializing in military analysis admitted she had once 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 observed.