US Military Operation on Caracas Raises Fears of Future Danish Territory Annexation.

Recent US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have ignited worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. 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 Official Outrage

Merely a short time after the start of the Caracas campaign, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a senior White House aide, posted a symbolic image. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."

This overt suggestion to absorb the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Denmark's officials.

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

The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.

Political Moves and Strategic Interests

The situation were further complicated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."

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

Ever since returning to office, the American leader has consistently alarmed transatlantic allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for defence and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US military base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a notable media interview, the president declined to rule out the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes during growing 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 remarked.

He characterized 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 Indigenous Resistance

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

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

Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for over a decade.

Expert View: A Credible Scenario?

Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director specializing in military analysis conceded she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."

"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few 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.