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

The latest US-led military action in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have renewed unease regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the vast island following the events in South America.

Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage

Only a short time following the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, posted a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "SOON."

This overt suggestion to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's officials.

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

The ambassador further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Northern and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.

Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals

The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."

After the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."

Since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for national security and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Military Action

In a significant television appearance, the president refused to exclude the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes during growing 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 characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."

Mounting Friction and Indigenous Opposition

In response to this persistent "rhetoric" 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 cannot take over other countries."

Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents desire independence from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.

Expert Assessment: A Plausible Threat?

Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One policy director focusing in defence admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."

"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.