US Military Operation on Caracas Fuels Fears of Potential Danish Territory Takeover.

The latest US-led strike in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have sparked worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island in the wake of the operations in South America.

Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash

Merely a short time following the initiation of the Caracas operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, posted a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."

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

"We are strong partners and should keep work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the North."

The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget recently, allocating a substantial sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.

Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests

The tensions were additionally complicated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."

Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's decisive move, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."

Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically important for national security and potential resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Military Action

In a notable television interview, the president refused to exclude the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes during growing great-power rivalry 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 stated.

He described Greenland as having a "very small 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 Resistance

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

The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."

Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant desire to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.

Expert View: A Plausible Threat?

Military experts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in defence admitted she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."

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