American Attack on Caracas Fuels Concerns of Future Greenland Takeover.

The recent American strike in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have sparked unease regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's base have reportedly set their sights on the vast island following the events in the southern hemisphere.

Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash

Only a short time following the start of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior White House aide, shared a symbolic image. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "COMING."

This overt suggestion to absorb the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.

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

The diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its defence spending this year, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.

Political Appointments and Strategic Goals

The situation were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."

After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's actions, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."

Ever since returning to office, the American leader has consistently alarmed European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the northernmost US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Force

In a significant television interview, the leader declined to rule out the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during 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 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 international security."

Growing Friction and Indigenous Opposition

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

The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and stern 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 complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire independence from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for over a decade.

Analyst View: A Credible Threat?

Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in defence admitted she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."

"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.