American Military Operation on Caracas Fuels Anxieties of Potential Greenland Acquisition.

The latest US-led strike in the South American nation and the capture of its president have renewed worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's base have reportedly set their sights on the vast island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.

Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage

Merely a short time following the start of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, shared a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, with the single-word message: "COMING."

This blatant threat to absorb the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's officials.

"We are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."

The ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its defence spending this year, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.

Political Moves and Strategic Interests

The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."

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

Since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically strategic for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It already houses the northernmost US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Military Action

In a significant media appearance, the president declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes during growing global rivalry 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 look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."

Growing Friction and Indigenous Opposition

In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."

The leaders 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."

Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.

Expert Assessment: A Credible Threat?

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