US Attack on Venezuela Fuels Concerns of Potential Greenland Acquisition.

The recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have ignited unease regarding America's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the strategically important island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.

Provocative Messages and Official Backlash

Merely hours after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, posted a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "SOON."

This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong condemnation from Denmark's officials.

"We are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the North."

The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget recently, allocating a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Administrative Moves and Strategic Interests

The situation were additionally complicated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."

Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's decisive move, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."

Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US military base.

Refusing to Rule Out Military Action

In a significant media appearance, the president refused to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying 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 remarked.

He characterized 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."

Mounting Friction and Local Resistance

In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."

The leaders of both Greenland issued a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."

Surveys in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for over a decade.

Expert Assessment: A Credible Threat?

Military analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director focusing in defence conceded she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."

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