American Military Operation on Venezuela Raises Fears of Future Greenland Takeover.

Recent American military action in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have ignited apprehension regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the vast landmass following the operations in South America.

Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash

Merely a short time following the initiation of the Caracas operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, posted a suggestive image. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."

This overt suggestion to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and firm criticism from Danish representatives.

"We are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."

The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its military budget recently, allocating a substantial sum specifically for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.

Political Appointments and Strategic Interests

The tensions were further complicated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."

After the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."

Since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically important for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a notable television appearance, the leader refused to rule out the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying 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 stated.

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

Growing Tensions and Local Resistance

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

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

Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also scant appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.

Expert Assessment: A Plausible Threat?

Some analysts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence conceded she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."

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