Greenland: Denmark Prepared for Potential US Invasion Under Trump
Danish soldiers deployed to Greenland in January 2020 were secretly prepared to sabotage key airport runways, fearing a potential invasion by then-US President Donald Trump, according to a bombshell report by Denmark’s public broadcaster, DR. The operation, shrouded in secrecy, involved preparations to treat casualties and sought support from European allies.
Escalating Tensions and a Venezuelan Precedent
DR’s investigation, based on interviews with twelve high-ranking sources within the Danish government and military, as well as officials from France and Germany, reveals a growing anxiety within Copenhagen regarding Trump’s repeated expressions of interest in acquiring Greenland. This concern dramatically escalated following a swift US operation to apprehend Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in Caracas.
A senior Danish military official, speaking anonymously, confirmed the operation’s limited visibility, stating that “only a limited number of people would have been aware of the operation for security reasons.” The Financial Times corroborated the report through two European officials.
International Collaboration and Military Deployment
Denmark proactively sought political backing from Paris, Berlin, and Nordic nations, aiming to demonstrate European solidarity and increase joint military activities in Greenland. A small contingent of Danish, French, German, Norwegian, and Swedish soldiers was dispatched to Nuuk and Kangerlussuaq, ostensibly for joint military exercises dubbed ‘Operation Arctic Endurance.’ However, the true purpose was to prepare for a potential US incursion.
The deployment was bolstered by elite Danish soldiers and a French contingent specializing in cold-weather warfare. Danish aircraft and a French naval vessel were also mobilized towards the North Atlantic. The plan included a directive for Danish soldiers to fight in the event of a US invasion and to destroy runways at Nuuk and Kangerlussuaq to prevent US military aircraft from landing.
Trump’s Persistent Pursuit of Greenland
Trump had repeatedly voiced his desire to annex Greenland, citing its strategic importance. He stated, without providing evidence, that “Right now Greenland is covered with Russian and Chinese ships all over the place.” A high-ranking Danish security source explained that “when Trump keeps saying he wants to take over Greenland, and then what happened in Venezuela happened, we had to take all scenarios seriously.”
Despite the preparations, a Danish defence source acknowledged the unlikelihood of successfully repelling a full-scale US attack, stating that the goal was to “raise the cost to the US” and force a hostile act to acquire Greenland.
De-escalation and Ongoing Concerns
At the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 21, 2020, Trump asserted, “I don’t want to use force. I won’t use force. All the United States is asking for is a place called Greenland.” He later indicated a willingness to engage in “immediate negotiations” to find a compromise.
The incident highlights the complex geopolitical dynamics surrounding Greenland, a semi-autonomous part of Denmark, and the anxieties sparked by Trump’s unpredictable foreign policy. The situation underscores the strategic importance of the Arctic region and the potential for escalating tensions between allies.
Source: BBC News
