American Military Operation on Caracas Raises Concerns of Potential Greenland Acquisition.

The recent American military action in Venezuela and the detention of its president have ignited unease regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Followers of the former president's base have allegedly set their sights on the strategically important landmass in the wake of the operations in South America.

Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash

Merely hours following the start of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a suggestive map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."

This blatant suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm criticism from Danish representatives.

"We are strong partners and should keep work together as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."

The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget this year, earmarking a substantial sum specifically for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.

Political Appointments and Strategic Goals

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

Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."

Ever since returning to 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 potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.

Refusing to Rule Out Force

In a notable television interview, the leader declined to exclude the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance 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 stated.

He characterized 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 Tensions and Indigenous Opposition

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

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

Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.

Expert View: A Credible Scenario?

Military analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis conceded she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently 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 who could intervene about it," she concluded.