American Military Operation on Caracas Fuels Fears of Future Greenland Annexation.

Recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have sparked apprehension regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the vast island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.

Inflammatory Posts and Official Backlash

Merely hours following the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking White House adviser, posted a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by single-word message: "COMING."

This blatant threat to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and firm condemnation from Danish officials.

"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."

The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its defence spending recently, allocating a large sum specifically for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.

Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Interests

The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" 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, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."

Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It already houses the northernmost US air base.

Refusing to Rule Out Military Action

In a significant television interview, the leader declined to rule out the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid growing global 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 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 international security."

Growing Tensions and Indigenous Opposition

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

The leaders of both Greenland issued a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."

Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to declare independence for many years.

Expert Assessment: A Credible Threat?

Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."

"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.