US Attack on Caracas Raises Fears of Potential Greenland Acquisition.

The recent US-led strike in the South American nation and the detention of its president have sparked apprehension regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's base have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich island in the wake of the operations in South America.

Provocative Posts and Official Backlash

Merely hours after the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, shared a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic caption: "COMING."

This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's officials.

"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to guarantee security in the North."

The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget this year, earmarking a large amount specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.

Administrative Moves and Strategic Interests

The situation were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."

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

Ever since assuming office, the American leader has consistently unnerved transatlantic allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already houses the northernmost US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a notable television appearance, the president declined to exclude the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid growing 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 stated.

He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."

Growing Tensions and Local Resistance

In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, 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 unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."

Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant appetite to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for many years.

Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Threat?

Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One policy analyst focusing in military analysis admitted she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."

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