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

The latest US-led military action in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have renewed apprehension regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the vast island following the events in South America.

Provocative Posts and Official Backlash

Merely hours following the start of the Caracas campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior presidential aide, posted a suggestive map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "COMING."

This overt threat to absorb the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Danish representatives.

"We are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the North."

The ambassador further highlighted that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Political Appointments and Geopolitical Goals

The tensions were further complicated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."

Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."

Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.

Refusing to Rule Out Force

In a significant media interview, the leader declined to exclude the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid growing great-power 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 remarked.

He described 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 global security."

Mounting Friction and Local Opposition

In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."

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

Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for many years.

Analyst View: A Credible Threat?

Military analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director focusing in defence conceded she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."

"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.