US Attack on Caracas Stokes Concerns of Future Greenland Annexation.

Recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its president have sparked worry regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island in the wake of the operations in South America.

Inflammatory Posts and Official Backlash

Only hours following the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is married to a senior White House aide, shared a symbolic image. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "COMING."

This blatant threat to absorb the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Danish representatives.

"We are close allies and should keep work together 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 United States work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."

The diplomat additionally highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget this year, earmarking a large sum expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.

Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests

The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."

After the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."

Ever since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally important for national security and future resource extraction. It already houses the northernmost US air base.

Refusing to Rule Out Force

In a significant media appearance, the leader refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during 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 described 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 international security."

Growing Tensions and Local Opposition

In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."

The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."

Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for over a decade.

Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Threat?

Military analysts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy director specializing in military analysis 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 few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.