US Attack on Caracas Stokes Concerns of Potential Greenland Takeover.

The latest US-led strike in the South American nation and the detention of its president have renewed worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island in the wake of the events in South America.

Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage

Merely a short time following the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking White House adviser, posted a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."

This overt threat to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm condemnation from Danish representatives.

"We are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to ensure security in the Arctic."

The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget this year, earmarking a substantial sum specifically for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.

Political Appointments and Strategic Interests

The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."

Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."

Since returning to office, the American leader has consistently unnerved European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.

Leaving the Door Open to Military Action

In a notable television interview, the president refused to rule out the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This position 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 characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."

Mounting Tensions and Local Opposition

In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."

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

Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare independence for many years.

Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?

Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director specializing in defence conceded she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."

"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.