US Attack on Caracas Raises Fears of Potential Danish Territory Acquisition.

The recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have sparked worry regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the strategically important island in the wake of the events in South America.

Provocative Messages and Official Backlash

Merely a short time following the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a senior White House aide, shared a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."

This overt threat to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Danish officials.

"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep work together as such. US security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."

The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget this year, earmarking a large sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Political Appointments and Geopolitical Goals

The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."

Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's decisive move, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."

Ever since assuming office, the American leader has consistently unnerved European allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the northernmost US air base.

Refusing to Rule Out Military Action

In a notable television interview, the president declined to rule out the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes during growing global 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 described 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 global security."

Growing Tensions and Local Resistance

In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."

The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."

Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for over a decade.

Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?

Some analysts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One policy director focusing in defence conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling 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 not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.