American Attack on Caracas Stokes Concerns of Potential Danish Territory Takeover.

The latest US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have sparked unease regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the former president's political movement have reportedly focused on the vast island following the operations in South America.

Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage

Only a short time after the commencement of the Caracas operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, shared a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by cryptic caption: "SOON."

This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Danish representatives.

"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to 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 collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."

The ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its defence spending this year, earmarking a large sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Administrative Moves and Strategic Interests

The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."

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

Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US military base.

Leaving the Door Open to Military Action

In a notable media interview, the leader refused to rule out the use of military force 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 described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."

Growing Tensions and Local Resistance

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

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

Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.

Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?

Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence admitted she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling 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 who could do anything about it," she observed.