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

The latest American military action in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have sparked unease regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the vast island in the wake of the events in South America.

Provocative Messages and Official Backlash

Only hours after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, posted a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."

This blatant suggestion to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm criticism from Danish officials.

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

The ambassador further highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget recently, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Political Appointments and Strategic Goals

The situation were additionally complicated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."

Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's decisive move, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."

Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US military base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a notable television appearance, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid growing great-power 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 remarked.

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

Growing Friction and Local Resistance

In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."

The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."

Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare independence for many years.

Expert Assessment: A Credible Scenario?

Some analysts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director focusing in defence admitted she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."

"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.