US Military Operation on Caracas Stokes Anxieties of Future Greenland Takeover.

The latest US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Members of the former president's base have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich island in the wake of the events in South America.

Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Backlash

Merely a short time after the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, shared a suggestive image. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by cryptic caption: "COMING."

This blatant threat to absorb the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm criticism from Denmark's officials.

"We are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the Arctic."

The ambassador additionally pointed out that the kingdom had significantly boosted its military budget this year, allocating a substantial sum specifically for Arctic and regional security. "And yes, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Goals

The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."

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

Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Military Action

In a notable television interview, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid growing 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 characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."

Mounting Friction and Local Resistance

In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."

The leaders of both Greenland delivered a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."

Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire independence from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.

Expert Assessment: A Credible Threat?

Some experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in military analysis admitted she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."

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