US Military Operation on Venezuela Fuels Concerns of Potential Greenland Takeover.

Recent American military action in Venezuela and the capture of its president have sparked worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the former president's base have allegedly focused on the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.

Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Backlash

Merely hours after the start of the Caracas campaign, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior White House adviser, shared a symbolic image. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic caption: "COMING."

This overt suggestion to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.

"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."

The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially increased its military budget this year, allocating a large sum specifically for Northern and regional defence. "And yes, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Goals

The situation were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."

Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."

Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for national security and potential resource extraction. It already houses the northernmost US air base.

Refusing to Rule Out Force

In a significant media interview, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid growing great-power 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 described 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."

Mounting Tensions and Local Opposition

In response to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."

The leaders 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."

Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.

Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?

Military analysts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in military analysis admitted she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."

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