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

Recent US-led strike in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have ignited apprehension regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the strategically important landmass in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.

Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage

Only a short time following the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, posted a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "COMING."

This blatant suggestion to absorb the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm condemnation from Danish officials.

"We are strong partners and should keep work together as such. American security is also 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 further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its military budget this year, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.

Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals

The situation were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."

Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."

Ever since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the northernmost US military base.

Leaving the Door Open to Military Action

In a notable television interview, the leader refused to exclude the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes during intensifying global 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 remarked.

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 international security."

Mounting Tensions and Local Opposition

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

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

Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for over a decade.

Analyst View: A Credible Threat?

Some experts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director specializing in military analysis conceded she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."

"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.