US Attack on Venezuela Fuels Fears of Potential Greenland Takeover.

The latest American strike in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have sparked apprehension regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the vast island in the wake of the operations in South America.

Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Backlash

Only hours following the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a senior White House adviser, shared a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word message: "COMING."

This overt threat to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm criticism from Danish officials.

"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."

The ambassador additionally highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a large sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.

Political Appointments and Strategic Goals

The situation were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."

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

Ever since returning to office, the American leader has consistently unnerved transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically important 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 president declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid growing global competition 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 stated.

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

Growing Friction and Indigenous Opposition

In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Danish security agency took the extraordinary 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 reveals a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.

Expert Assessment: A Credible Threat?

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

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