American Military Operation on Caracas Raises Concerns of Future Greenland Annexation.

The latest American military action in Venezuela and the detention of its president have ignited worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich island in the wake of the events in South America.

Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash

Merely hours after the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House adviser, shared a symbolic image. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by single-word message: "COMING."

This blatant threat to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's officials.

"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to guarantee security in the North."

The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had significantly increased its defence spending this year, allocating a large amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.

Political Appointments and Strategic Goals

The situation were further complicated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."

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

Since returning to office, the American leader has consistently unnerved transatlantic allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the northernmost US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a significant television appearance, the president refused to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid growing 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 described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."

Growing Tensions and Indigenous Opposition

In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying 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 cannot take over other countries."

Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.

Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?

Some experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in military analysis conceded she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling 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 on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.