US Military Operation on Caracas Raises Anxieties of Potential Greenland Acquisition.

Recent American bombardment in Venezuela and the capture of its president have sparked worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's base have reportedly set their sights on the strategically important island following the operations in South America.

Provocative Posts and Official Outrage

Only hours after the start of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, shared a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "SOON."

This overt threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.

"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."

The diplomat additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget recently, allocating a large sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals

The tensions were further complicated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."

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

Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the northernmost US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a notable television appearance, the president declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during growing global 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 stated.

He characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."

Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Opposition

In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish 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 stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."

Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.

Expert View: A Credible Threat?

Military experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in defence admitted 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 few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.