US Attack on Venezuela Fuels Fears of Future Danish Territory Acquisition.

Recent American bombardment in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have renewed worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the strategically important island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.

Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash

Only a short time following the initiation of the Caracas operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior White House aide, shared a symbolic image. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "COMING."

This blatant threat to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.

"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to ensure security in the North."

The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its defence spending this year, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we expect complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.

Political Moves and Strategic Goals

The situation were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."

Following the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's decisive move, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."

Ever since assuming office, the American leader has consistently alarmed European allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US air base.

Refusing to Rule Out Force

In a significant television appearance, the leader refused to exclude the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid growing 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."

Mounting Tensions and Local Resistance

In response to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."

The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and stern rebuke: "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 picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire independence from Denmark, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.

Expert Assessment: A Plausible Threat?

Some experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One policy director specializing in military analysis conceded she had once discounted 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 which power could intervene about it," she concluded.