US Attack on Caracas Stokes Fears of Future Greenland Acquisition.

The recent US-led military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have sparked apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island following the events in the southern hemisphere.

Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage

Only hours after the initiation of the Caracas operation, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, posted a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "COMING."

This blatant suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.

"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."

The diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its defence spending this year, earmarking a large sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Political Moves and Strategic Goals

The situation were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming 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."

After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's actions, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."

Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US military base.

Leaving the Door Open to Military Action

In a significant media appearance, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying great-power 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."

Mounting Friction and Local Opposition

In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."

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

Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.

Analyst Assessment: A Credible Scenario?

Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One policy director focusing in defence admitted she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."

"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.