US Military Operation on Caracas Fuels Concerns of Potential Danish Territory Annexation.

Recent US-led strike in the South American nation and the capture of its president have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the vast landmass following the events in the southern hemisphere.

Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Backlash

Merely hours after the initiation of the Caracas operation, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential adviser, posted a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."

This blatant threat to absorb the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and firm condemnation from Danish officials.

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

The ambassador additionally pointed out that the kingdom had significantly increased its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and regional security. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.

Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests

The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."

After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's decisive move, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."

Since returning to office, the American leader has consistently alarmed European allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the northernmost US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a notable media interview, the leader declined to rule out the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes during intensifying great-power rivalry 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 characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."

Growing Friction and Local Opposition

In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."

The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful statement: "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 territory's residents desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The island has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.

Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?

Some experts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis admitted she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."

"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station 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.