US Military Operation on Caracas Stokes Anxieties of Potential Danish Territory Takeover.

The latest American strike in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have sparked apprehension regarding America's designs on Greenland. Members of the former president's base have reportedly set their sights on the vast island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.

Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash

Merely a short time following the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, posted a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "SOON."

This overt suggestion to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and firm criticism from Danish representatives.

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

The ambassador additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its military budget this year, allocating a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals

The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."

After the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."

Ever since assuming office, the American leader has consistently unnerved European partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for national security and potential resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US air base.

Refusing to Rule Out Force

In a notable media interview, the president refused to rule out the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid 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 described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."

Mounting Friction and Local Opposition

In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."

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

Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare independence for over a decade.

Expert Assessment: A Plausible Threat?

Some experts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in military analysis admitted she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."

"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.