US Military Operation on Caracas Stokes Anxieties of Future Danish Territory Annexation.

The latest US-led strike in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have ignited worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the strategically important island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.

Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage

Only a short time after the start of the Caracas campaign, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, posted a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the single-word caption: "COMING."

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

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

The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its defence spending this year, allocating a substantial amount specifically for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.

Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Interests

The situation were further complicated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."

Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."

Since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a significant media appearance, the president refused to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during 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 characterized 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."

Growing Friction and Local Opposition

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

The leaders of both Greenland delivered a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."

Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for many years.

Expert Assessment: A Credible Scenario?

Some analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis conceded she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."

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