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

The latest American military action in the South American nation and the capture of its president have ignited apprehension regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly focused on the strategically important island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.

Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash

Merely hours after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, shared a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."

This blatant suggestion to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and firm condemnation from Danish officials.

"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."

The diplomat additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its military budget this year, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.

Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests

The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."

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

Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US military base.

Refusing to Rule Out Force

In a significant television appearance, the president declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during growing great-power 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."

Growing Tensions and Indigenous Opposition

In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."

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

Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for many years.

Expert View: A Credible Scenario?

Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One policy analyst focusing in defence admitted she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."

"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.