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

The latest US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the detention of its president have ignited unease regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the former president's base have allegedly focused on the vast island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.

Provocative Messages and Official Backlash

Merely hours following the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, shared a suggestive image. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word message: "COMING."

This overt threat to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm condemnation from Denmark's officials.

"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."

The diplomat additionally pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget recently, allocating a large amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Political Appointments and Strategic Goals

The tensions were further complicated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."

Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."

Ever since returning to office, the American leader has consistently unnerved European partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for national security and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US air base.

Refusing to Rule Out Force

In a significant media appearance, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying great-power competition 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."

Growing Tensions and Local Resistance

In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."

The leaders of both Greenland issued a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."

Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.

Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?

Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director specializing in military analysis conceded 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 couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.