US Military Operation on Caracas Fuels Concerns of Potential Greenland Takeover.

The recent American strike in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have ignited apprehension regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the vast landmass in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.

Provocative Messages and Official Backlash

Only a short time after the initiation of the Caracas operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a senior White House aide, shared a symbolic image. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "COMING."

This overt suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Denmark's representatives.

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

The diplomat additionally highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending this year, allocating a substantial amount 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 Strategic Interests

The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."

Following the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."

Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base.

Refusing to Rule Out Force

In a significant media appearance, the leader declined to rule out the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during growing 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 value them... But we need that for international security."

Mounting Tensions and Local Resistance

In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying 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 annex other countries."

Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also scant appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare independence for many years.

Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?

Some analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis conceded she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."

"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.