US Military Operation on Caracas Fuels Concerns of Potential Greenland Annexation.

The latest US-led strike in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have renewed worry regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the vast landmass in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.

Provocative Posts and Official Outrage

Merely hours after the start of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a senior presidential aide, posted a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "SOON."

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

"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."

The diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a large sum expressly for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.

Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals

The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."

Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."

Since returning to office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically important for defence and future resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US military base.

Refusing to Rule Out Force

In a notable media appearance, the leader declined to rule out the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes during growing global rivalry in the polar region. "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 take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."

Mounting Friction and Local Resistance

In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."

The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint 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 complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.

Expert Assessment: A Credible Scenario?

Military analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence admitted she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."

"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy 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.