American Military Operation on Caracas Raises Fears of Future Greenland Acquisition.

The latest US-led strike in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have ignited unease regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the vast landmass following the events in South America.

Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Outrage

Merely hours after the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, shared a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."

This blatant suggestion to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and firm condemnation from Denmark's officials.

"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to work together as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to ensure security in the Arctic."

The diplomat additionally pointed out that the kingdom had significantly boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Political Moves and Strategic Interests

The situation were additionally exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."

After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."

Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is considered critically important for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.

Refusing to Rule Out Force

In a notable television interview, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying 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 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 Resistance

In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."

The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and stern 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 vast majority of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for many years.

Expert View: A Credible Scenario?

Military analysts 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 "now not so sure."

"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.