US Military Operation on Venezuela Raises Fears of Future Greenland Takeover.

The latest American military action in the South American nation and the capture of its president have ignited apprehension regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's political movement have reportedly focused on the vast landmass in the wake of the events in South America.

Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash

Only a short time after the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior presidential aide, shared a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, with the single-word caption: "COMING."

This overt suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm condemnation from Danish officials.

"We are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. American security is also the Arctic's and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."

The ambassador additionally pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget recently, allocating a substantial sum specifically for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.

Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests

The situation were additionally complicated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."

After the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."

Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.

Refusing to Rule Out Force

In a notable television appearance, the president refused to exclude the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying global competition 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 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 global security."

Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Opposition

In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."

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

Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.

Expert View: A Credible Threat?

Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director specializing in military analysis conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."

"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.