US Military Operation on Caracas Stokes Fears of Future Greenland Annexation.

The latest American bombardment in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have renewed worry regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island following the events in South America.

Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Outrage

Merely hours following the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, posted a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the American flag, with the single-word message: "COMING."

This overt threat to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Denmark's officials.

"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is also the Arctic's and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to ensure security in the North."

The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its defence spending this year, allocating a substantial sum specifically for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.

Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals

The situation were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."

After the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."

Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.

Refusing to Rule Out Force

In a notable television appearance, the leader declined to exclude the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes during growing 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 remarked.

He described 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 "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."

The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."

Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also scant appetite to join the United States. The island has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.

Expert View: A Credible Threat?

Some experts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence conceded she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."

"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy 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.