US Attack on Venezuela Stokes Anxieties of Future Greenland Takeover.

Recent US-led strike in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's political movement have reportedly focused on the strategically important island following the events in South America.

Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage

Merely a short time after the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House aide, posted a symbolic image. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."

This blatant threat to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm criticism from Danish representatives.

"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. American security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."

The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Northern and regional security. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Political Moves and Strategic Interests

The tensions were further complicated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."

Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."

Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a significant television appearance, the president refused to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes during growing global 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 remarked.

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

Mounting Friction and Local Resistance

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

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

Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.

Expert Assessment: A Plausible Threat?

Some experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis admitted she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."

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