American Military Operation on Caracas Stokes Fears of Potential Greenland Annexation.

The recent American strike in the South American nation and the capture of its president have sparked apprehension regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.

Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Backlash

Merely hours after the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a senior presidential aide, shared a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."

This blatant threat to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Danish officials.

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

The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its defence spending this year, allocating a large sum expressly for Arctic and regional security. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests

The tensions were additionally complicated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor 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 envoy praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."

Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally strategic for national security and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a notable media appearance, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid growing great-power 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 value them... But we need that for international security."

Growing Tensions and Local Resistance

In response to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."

The leaders of both Greenland delivered a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."

Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for many years.

Expert View: A Credible Scenario?

Some experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis admitted she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."

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