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

The latest US-led military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have renewed unease regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the strategically important island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.

Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage

Only hours following the start of the Caracas operation, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "SOON."

This blatant suggestion to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Danish officials.

"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the North."

The ambassador further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly increased its military budget this year, earmarking a large amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.

Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals

The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."

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

Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US military base.

Refusing to Rule Out Force

In a significant media appearance, the president declined to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying global rivalry 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 stated.

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

Mounting Friction and Local Resistance

In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."

The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."

Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The island has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years.

Analyst View: A Credible Threat?

Some analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing 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 few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.