US Attack on Caracas Fuels Fears of Potential Greenland Acquisition.

The recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have ignited apprehension regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Members of the former president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.

Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage

Merely a short time following the start of the Caracas operation, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, posted a suggestive image. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "COMING."

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

"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to ensure security in the Arctic."

The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had substantially increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial sum specifically for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Political Appointments and Strategic Goals

The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."

Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's actions, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."

Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally strategic for national security and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US military base.

Refusing to Rule Out Military Action

In a notable television interview, the president declined to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid growing global 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 remarked.

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

Growing Friction and Local Resistance

In response to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."

The prime ministers of both Greenland issued 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 shows a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to seek independence for many years.

Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?

Some analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in defence admitted she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."

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