US Military Operation on Caracas Stokes Concerns of Potential Danish Territory Takeover.

The recent American strike in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have ignited unease regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's base have allegedly set their sights on the vast landmass in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.

Provocative Posts and Official Outrage

Only a short time following the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, posted a symbolic image. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic message: "COMING."

This blatant threat to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm criticism from Denmark's officials.

"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to ensure security in the North."

The ambassador additionally pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a large amount specifically for Northern and regional defence. "And yes, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.

Political Moves and Strategic Goals

The tensions were further complicated by the previous 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 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, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."

Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for national security and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Military Action

In a notable media appearance, the president declined to rule out the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying global 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 described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."

Mounting Tensions and Local Opposition

In response to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."

The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."

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

Analyst View: A Credible Threat?

Some analysts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in military analysis admitted she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."

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