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

Recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have ignited unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the vast island in the wake of the events in South America.

Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage

Merely hours following the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, shared a symbolic image. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."

This blatant suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's officials.

"We are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to guarantee security in the North."

The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its military budget recently, allocating a large sum expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we expect complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.

Political Moves and Strategic Goals

The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent appointment of a US state 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 capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."

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

Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically important for national security and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.

Leaving the Door Open to Military Action

In a significant media interview, the president declined to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying great-power 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 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."

Growing Friction and Indigenous Resistance

In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."

The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a joint 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 picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.

Analyst View: A Credible Threat?

Military experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in defence conceded she had once discounted the sabre-rattling 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 which power could do anything about it," she concluded.