US Military Operation on Caracas Fuels Anxieties of Future Danish Territory Takeover.

The recent US-led strike in the South American nation and the capture of its president have sparked worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's base have reportedly set their sights on the strategically important island in the wake of the operations in South America.

Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash

Only hours following the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, posted a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "SOON."

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

"We are close allies and should continue to work together as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to guarantee security in the North."

The ambassador further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending recently, allocating a large sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.

Political Moves and Strategic Goals

The tensions were further complicated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."

After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."

Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.

Refusing to Rule Out Force

In a notable television interview, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during 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 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."

Growing Tensions and Local Opposition

In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."

The leaders of Denmark and 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."

Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare independence for many years.

Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?

Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis conceded she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."

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