American Attack on Caracas Raises Anxieties of Potential Greenland Annexation.

The latest US-led military action in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have renewed worry regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly focused on the strategically important island following the events in the southern hemisphere.

Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Outrage

Only a short time after the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House adviser, shared a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the single-word caption: "SOON."

This overt suggestion to claim the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.

"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 US collaborate to ensure security in the North."

The diplomat additionally highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its military budget this year, earmarking a large amount expressly for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Goals

The tensions were additionally complicated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."

Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."

Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically important for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.

Refusing to Rule Out Force

In a significant television appearance, the president declined to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying 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 characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."

Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance

In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."

The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."

Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years.

Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?

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

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