US Military Operation on Venezuela Stokes Anxieties of Potential Greenland Takeover.

The recent American strike in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have renewed worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Members of the former president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the strategically important island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.

Provocative Posts and Official Backlash

Only hours after the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "COMING."

This blatant suggestion to claim the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm condemnation from Danish officials.

"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep work together as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to ensure security in the Arctic."

The diplomat additionally highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its military budget this year, allocating a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.

Political Moves and Strategic Goals

The situation were further complicated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."

Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's actions, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."

Since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US air base.

Refusing to Rule Out Force

In a notable media interview, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid growing global rivalry in the polar region. "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 look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."

Growing Friction and Local Opposition

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

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

Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.

Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?

Military analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One policy 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 few hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.