US Attack on Caracas Fuels Concerns of Future Greenland Acquisition.

Recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have sparked worry regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the strategically important landmass in the wake of the operations in South America.

Provocative Posts and Official Backlash

Only hours following the start of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior White House adviser, posted a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."

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

"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to ensure security in the North."

The ambassador additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially boosted its defence spending this year, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.

Administrative Moves and Strategic Interests

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

After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."

Since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US military base.

Refusing to Rule Out Force

In a significant television interview, the leader declined to exclude the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes during intensifying great-power competition 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 take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."

Growing Friction and Local Opposition

In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."

The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."

Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to declare independence for many years.

Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?

Some experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in defence admitted she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."

"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.