US Military Operation on Venezuela Fuels Fears of Future Greenland Takeover.

The latest American bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its president have sparked unease regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the former president's base have reportedly focused on the vast island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.

Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Backlash

Merely hours following the initiation of the Caracas operation, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House adviser, posted a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."

This blatant suggestion to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong condemnation from Danish officials.

"We are close allies and should continue to work together as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to ensure security in the Arctic."

The ambassador additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its military budget recently, allocating a large sum specifically for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals

The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state 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 unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."

After the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's actions, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."

Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Military Action

In a notable television interview, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid growing global 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 described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."

Mounting Friction and Indigenous Resistance

In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."

The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a joint and forceful statement: "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 vast majority of the island's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.

Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?

Some analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One policy director focusing in military analysis admitted she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."

"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.