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

The latest American military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have sparked unease regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the former president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the vast island following the events in South America.

Provocative Messages and Official Outrage

Only hours following the commencement of the Caracas operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior White House aide, posted a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic message: "SOON."

This blatant suggestion to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.

"We are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."

The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.

Political Moves and Strategic Interests

The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."

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

Since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US air base.

Refusing to Rule Out Military Action

In a notable media appearance, the leader refused to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying 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 stated.

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

Mounting Friction and Indigenous Opposition

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

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

Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.

Expert View: A Plausible Threat?

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

"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.