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

Recent US-led strike in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's base have allegedly focused on the vast island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.

Inflammatory Posts and Official Backlash

Merely a short time after the commencement of the Caracas operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."

This overt suggestion to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Danish officials.

"We are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the North."

The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget this year, earmarking a large amount specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.

Political Moves and Strategic Interests

The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."

After the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."

Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It already houses the northernmost US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a notable television appearance, the president declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid 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 remarked.

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 Tensions and Local Resistance

In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."

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

Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents seek self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for over a decade.

Expert View: A Credible Scenario?

Military experts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."

"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.