US Military Operation on Caracas Fuels Fears of Future Danish Territory Takeover.

The latest American military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have ignited worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Followers of the former president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the strategically important landmass following the events in the southern hemisphere.

Provocative Messages and Official Outrage

Only hours following the start of the Caracas campaign, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior presidential aide, posted a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "COMING."

This blatant suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.

"We are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is also the Arctic's and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."

The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial sum expressly for Northern and regional security. "And yes, we demand complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals

The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."

After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."

Since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically important for defence and future resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.

Refusing to Rule Out Military Action

In a significant television appearance, the president refused to exclude the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying great-power competition 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 described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."

Growing Tensions and Local Opposition

In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."

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

Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents desire independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare independence for over a decade.

Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?

Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis conceded she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."

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