American Military Operation on Caracas Fuels Concerns of Future Danish Territory Takeover.

The recent American strike in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have renewed worry regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the strategically important island in the wake of the events in South America.

Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Backlash

Merely hours after the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a senior White House aide, shared a suggestive image. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic caption: "SOON."

This overt threat to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm criticism from Denmark's officials.

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

The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget recently, earmarking a large amount expressly for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests

The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous 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 "honour" to work in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."

Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."

Since assuming office, the American leader has consistently alarmed European allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically strategic for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.

Refusing to Rule Out Military Action

In a notable television interview, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to 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 stated.

He characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."

Mounting Friction and Local Opposition

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

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

Surveys in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek sovereignty for over a decade.

Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?

Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director focusing in military analysis admitted she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."

"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.