US Military Operation on Venezuela Raises Fears of Future Greenland Takeover.

The latest American military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have sparked unease regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the former president's base have reportedly focused on the vast island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.

Provocative Messages and Official Backlash

Merely a short time after the start of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a senior presidential aide, shared a symbolic image. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."

This blatant suggestion to claim the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and firm condemnation from Danish representatives.

"We are close allies and should continue to work together as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the North."

The diplomat additionally pointed out that the kingdom had significantly boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.

Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals

The tensions were further complicated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."

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

Since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently houses the northernmost US military base.

Leaving the Door Open to Military Action

In a notable media interview, the president refused to exclude the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This position 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 value them... But we need that for international security."

Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance

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

The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and forceful 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 nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.

Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?

Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One policy director focusing in military analysis admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."

"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.