US Military Operation on Caracas Stokes Fears of Future Greenland Acquisition.

The recent American strike in the South American nation and the capture of its president have sparked apprehension regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.

Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash

Merely a short time following the initiation of the Caracas operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a senior presidential aide, posted a suggestive image. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."

This blatant threat to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.

"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the North."

The ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending this year, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.

Administrative Moves and Strategic Interests

The situation were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."

After the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."

Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the northernmost US military base.

Leaving the Door Open to Military Action

In a significant media appearance, the president refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during growing global 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 remarked.

He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."

Growing Tensions and Local Opposition

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

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

Surveys in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for many years.

Analyst View: A Credible Threat?

Military experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy director specializing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."

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