US Military Operation on Caracas Raises Anxieties of Potential Danish Territory Acquisition.

The latest US-led military action in Venezuela and the capture of its president have sparked worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the former president's base have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich island in the wake of the operations in South America.

Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash

Only hours after the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential adviser, posted a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."

This blatant threat to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and firm criticism from Denmark's officials.

"We are close allies and should continue to work together as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to ensure security in the North."

The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a large sum specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.

Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests

The tensions were further complicated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the president, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."

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

Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a significant media appearance, the president declined to rule out the use of military force to gain control of 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 stated.

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 international security."

Mounting Friction and Local 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 "potential threat."

The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."

Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant appetite to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.

Analyst Assessment: A Credible Threat?

Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst specializing in defence admitted she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "now 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 unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.