American Military Operation on Caracas Fuels Concerns of Future Greenland Takeover.

The latest US-led strike in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have renewed apprehension regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's base have allegedly focused on the strategically important island following the operations in South America.

Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage

Merely hours following the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, shared a suggestive image. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."

This overt suggestion to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and firm criticism from Danish representatives.

"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to ensure security in the North."

The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Political Appointments and Strategic Interests

The situation were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the president, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."

After the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."

Since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the northernmost US military base.

Leaving the Door Open to Military Action

In a significant television interview, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying great-power 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 "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 reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."

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

Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare independence for many years.

Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?

Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence conceded she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."

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