US Military Operation on Venezuela Raises Fears of Future Greenland Acquisition.

Recent US-led military action in Venezuela and the capture of its president have sparked unease regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Followers of the former president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the vast landmass in the wake of the events in South America.

Provocative Posts and Official Backlash

Merely hours following the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."

This blatant suggestion to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Danish officials.

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

The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially increased its military budget this year, allocating a large sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Political Appointments and Strategic Interests

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

Following the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."

Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the northernmost US military base.

Leaving the Door Open to Military Action

In a significant media interview, the leader declined to exclude the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying global rivalry 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 stated.

He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."

Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Resistance

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

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

Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for over a decade.

Expert View: A Plausible Threat?

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

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