American Military Operation on Caracas Fuels Concerns of Potential Greenland Annexation.

Recent US-led military action in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have ignited worry regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's base have allegedly set their sights on the vast island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.

Inflammatory Messages and Official Outrage

Only a short time following the commencement of the Caracas operation, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking White House adviser, posted a suggestive image. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."

This blatant suggestion to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm criticism from Danish officials.

"We are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."

The ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.

Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Interests

The situation were additionally complicated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."

After the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."

Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically important for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It currently houses the northernmost US military base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a significant media appearance, the president declined to exclude the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying great-power competition 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 remarked.

He characterized 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 Opposition

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

The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and forceful rebuke: "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 island's residents seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to declare sovereignty for over a decade.

Expert View: A Credible Scenario?

Military analysts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in defence admitted she had once discounted the rhetoric 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 who could intervene about it," she concluded.