The former high representative of the European Union, Josep Borrell, questioned the lukewarmness of Brussels towards the intervention of the United States in Venezuela and warned that continuing to consider Washington as a “great ally” means ignoring a profound change in the international order.
In one interview for the agency EFEBorrell stated that the US military action in Caracas, destined to capture Nicolás Maduro and his wifeconstitutes “a powerful wake-up call” for Europe, which — in his opinion — many community leaders prefer not to hear.
The former Spanish minister maintained that the United States is willing to impose an order directed by its own interests in strategic areas of influence, as he noted.
The “meekness” of several European governments
The diplomat criticized what he defined as an attitude of “meekness” on the part of several European governments, motivated by the fear that Washington will withdraw its support for Ukraine. In this context, he considered that trying to “calm down” Trump does not guarantee the continuity of American support and responds more to a defensive strategy than to a long-term vision.
Borrell stressed that the official reaction of the European Union – a statement that called for calm and respect for international law without directly questioning the United States – evidenced this caution.
He recalled that Spain was the only country in the bloc that distanced itself from that position and, along with several Latin American governments, explicitly condemned the intervention and any attempt at external control over Venezuela and its resources.
The former high representative maintained that Washington’s objective would not be democratic restoration, but rather ensuring access to strategic resources, particularly oil, and compared that logic to other recent geopolitical interventions. In his analysis, the weakening of international norms is giving way to a scenario dominated by force.
Against this background, Borrell defended that Europe must move towards a greater capacity for self-defense. He warned that depending on the US “protective umbrella” makes the bloc vulnerable if that support is withdrawn, and concluded that strategic autonomy is a necessary condition to preserve European sovereignty.
“If tomorrow Trump decides to take Greenland by force, which would not be very difficult for him because he already has enough American bases there to take down the Danish flag and put up the American flag without firing a single shot, what would we Europeans say or what could we do?” Borrell questioned.
Europe and its response plan if the US takes action on Greenland
In contrast, relations between the United States, Denmark and Greenland entered a phase of greater tension after statements from the White House that did not rule out the use of force, in the midst of the European rejection of President Donald Trump’s repeated proposals on the annexation of the island.
The controversy intensified after the White House stated this Tuesday that “the US military is always an option,” even as several European leaders reiterated their opposition to any attempt by Washington to seize Greenland for strategic reasons.
Leader of Greenland asks to avoid “panic” in the face of Trump’s attack in Venezuela
In response, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and Greenlandic Foreign Minister Vivian Motzfeldt requested a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, after previous failed attempts, according to the Greenland government.
Rasmussen publicly called for lowering the tone of the political exchange. “We would like to qualify the conversation (…) The exchange of shouts must be replaced by a more sensible dialogue. Now,” the head of Danish diplomacy wrote on social networks.
According to a diary report The Wall Street JournalRubio would have explained to US legislators, in a closed-door session, that Trump maintains his interest in purchasing Greenland and that the recent threats seek to pressure Denmark to enter into negotiations. Although much of the Republican Party supported the president’s statements, bipartisan voices expressed concern.
Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Thom Tillis, co-chairs of the Senate NATO Observer Group, warned that “when Denmark and Greenland make clear that Greenland is not for sale, the United States must fulfill its obligations under the treaty and respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark.” They added that any form of coercion against an ally “undermines the principles of self-determination” of the Alliance.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen warned that an eventual US takeover would amount to the end of cohesion within NATO. Meanwhile, European analysts agreed that the language used by Trump represents unprecedented pressure on a historical ally and increases the risk of a broader diplomatic crisis.
