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

The recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the detention of its president have ignited worry regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the strategically important landmass following the events in the southern hemisphere.

Provocative Posts and Official Outrage

Only hours after the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior White House adviser, shared a suggestive map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "SOON."

This overt suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.

"We are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to ensure security in the North."

The ambassador additionally pointed out that the kingdom had significantly increased its military budget recently, allocating a large amount expressly for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.

Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals

The tensions were additionally complicated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."

After the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's decisive move, 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 territory is viewed as vitally important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the northernmost US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a significant television appearance, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying 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 remarked.

He characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."

Mounting Friction and Local Resistance

In response to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."

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

Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for over a decade.

Expert View: A Plausible Threat?

Some analysts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."

"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.