American Attack on Caracas Raises Concerns of Potential Greenland Acquisition.

The latest US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the detention of its president have ignited unease regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the strategically important island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.

Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash

Only hours after the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a senior White House aide, posted a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, with the single-word caption: "COMING."

This blatant suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm condemnation from Danish officials.

"We are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."

The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a large sum specifically for Arctic and regional security. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.

Political Moves and Strategic Goals

The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."

Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's actions, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."

Since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for defence and potential resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US air base.

Refusing to Rule Out Military Action

In a notable television appearance, the president refused to rule out the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid growing 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 described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."

Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Opposition

In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."

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

Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents desire independence from Denmark, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for many years.

Expert Assessment: A Credible Threat?

Military experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst focusing in military analysis conceded she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."

"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.