American Attack on Caracas Fuels Fears of Future Greenland Annexation.

The latest American strike in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have sparked unease regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Members of the former president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the strategically important island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.

Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage

Merely a short time after the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior White House aide, shared a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."

This blatant suggestion to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Danish officials.

"We are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."

The diplomat additionally pointed out that the kingdom had significantly boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a large amount expressly for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals

The situation were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the president, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."

After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."

Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently alarmed European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is considered critically important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the northernmost US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Military Action

In a notable media appearance, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to armed action 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 take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."

Growing Friction and Indigenous Opposition

In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."

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

Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant appetite to join the United States. The island has had the option to declare sovereignty for over a decade.

Expert Assessment: A Credible Threat?

Some experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One policy director focusing in defence conceded she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."

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