American Attack on Venezuela Fuels Fears of Potential Greenland Acquisition.

The latest American bombardment in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have sparked worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich island in the wake of the operations in South America.

Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash

Merely a short time after the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, shared a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."

This overt suggestion to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm condemnation from Danish officials.

"We are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to ensure security in the North."

The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget recently, earmarking a large amount expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.

Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests

The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."

Following the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."

Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Military Action

In a notable media interview, the leader refused to exclude the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying great-power competition in the polar region. "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 international security."

Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Opposition

In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."

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

Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.

Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?

Some analysts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst specializing in military analysis conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."

"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.