US Military Operation on Venezuela Stokes Anxieties of Potential Greenland Takeover.

The latest US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the detention of its president have sparked worry regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's base have reportedly focused on the strategically important landmass in the wake of the events in South America.

Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage

Merely a short time following the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, shared a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."

This overt suggestion to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm condemnation from Denmark's officials.

"Denmark and the US 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. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."

The ambassador further highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget this year, allocating a substantial sum specifically for Northern and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we expect complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Administrative Moves and Strategic Interests

The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."

Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."

Since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the most northerly US military base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a notable television interview, the president declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying great-power 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 stated.

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."

Growing Friction and Indigenous Opposition

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

The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint 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 nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.

Expert View: A Credible Scenario?

Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy director focusing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."

"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.