US Military Operation on Caracas Raises Concerns of Future Greenland Acquisition.

The recent American military action in Venezuela and the detention of its president have sparked unease regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island in the wake of the events in South America.

Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage

Merely a short time after the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, posted a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic caption: "COMING."

This blatant suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong condemnation from Danish officials.

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

The diplomat additionally pointed out that the kingdom had significantly increased its military budget this year, earmarking a large amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand full recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests

The situation were additionally exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."

Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."

Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically strategic for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the northernmost US air base.

Refusing to Rule Out Military Action

In a notable television appearance, the president declined to rule out the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during growing 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 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 international security."

Mounting Friction and Local Opposition

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

The leaders of both Greenland issued a joint 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 sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek independence for over a decade.

Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?

Some analysts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in military analysis admitted she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."

"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.