American Military Operation on Caracas Fuels Concerns of Future Greenland Acquisition.

The recent US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the detention of its president have ignited worry regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's base have allegedly focused on the vast island following the events in the southern hemisphere.

Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash

Merely a short time following the start of the Caracas operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, posted a symbolic image. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic message: "SOON."

This overt threat to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Denmark's officials.

"We are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."

The ambassador further highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget recently, allocating a large amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.

Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests

The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."

Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."

Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally important for defence and future resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a significant television appearance, the president declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying 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 characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."

Mounting Tensions and Local Opposition

In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."

The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."

Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.

Expert View: A Credible Scenario?

Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."

"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.