US Military Operation on Caracas Raises Fears of Future Greenland Takeover.

The recent US-led military action in Venezuela and the capture of its president have renewed unease regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the vast island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.

Provocative Messages and Official Backlash

Merely a short time following the commencement of the Caracas operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a senior presidential aide, posted a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."

This overt suggestion to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and firm criticism from Denmark's representatives.

"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to guarantee security in the North."

The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget recently, allocating a substantial sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests

The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer 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 "fight against narcotics."

Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved European allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the northernmost US military base.

Refusing to Rule Out Military Action

In a notable television interview, the president refused to rule out the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid 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 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."

Mounting Tensions and Local Opposition

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

The leaders of both Greenland issued a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."

Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare independence for over a decade.

Expert View: A Credible Threat?

Military experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One policy director 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 station a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.