US Military Operation on Caracas Raises Fears of Potential Greenland Takeover.

The recent American strike in Venezuela and the detention of its president have ignited worry regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the strategically important island following the operations in South America.

Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage

Only a short time following the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior presidential aide, shared a suggestive map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."

This overt threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Danish representatives.

"We are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."

The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its military budget this year, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Interests

The tensions were further complicated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."

After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."

Ever since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the northernmost US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a significant television interview, the leader refused to exclude the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying global 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 take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."

Growing Tensions and Local Opposition

In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Danish 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 joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."

Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years.

Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?

Military experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst focusing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."

"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.