American Attack on Caracas Fuels Concerns of Future Greenland Annexation.

The latest American bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have sparked worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's base have reportedly set their sights on the vast island in the wake of the events in South America.

Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash

Only a short time following the start of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, shared a suggestive image. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by cryptic caption: "COMING."

This overt suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.

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

The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial sum expressly for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.

Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Goals

The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."

After the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."

Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.

Leaving the Door Open to Military Action

In a notable television interview, the leader declined to exclude the use of armed action 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 look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."

Mounting Tensions and Local Opposition

In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."

The leaders of both Greenland delivered a joint 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 complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.

Expert View: A Credible Threat?

Military experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in defence conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."

"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.