Tag: Denmark

  • Protests erupt in Denmark over Vance’s visit to Greenland

    NUUK, Greenland, March 29 – Hundreds of demonstrators in Denmark’s capital Copenhagen and the city of Aarhus voiced strong opposition on Saturday to recent remarks and actions by the U.S. administration regarding Greenland.

    The demonstration took place a day after U.S. Vice President JD Vance and an American delegation visited Pituffik Space Base in northwest Greenland — formerly known as Thule Base — where Vance criticized Denmark for not doing enough for security in the Arctic or for the well-being of the Greenlandic people.

    Prominent Danish political figure Mogens Lykketoft, former foreign minister and former president of the United Nations General Assembly, addressed the crowd in Copenhagen, calling for solidarity.

    “We must fight our case at the UN, where it is certain that an overwhelming majority of countries will join in condemning American aggression against Greenland, and then we must appeal directly for support from the 70 percent of Americans who are against conquering Greenland,” he said.

    “We must never give up,” he added. His remarks drew loud applause from the crowd, who responded in Greenlandic and Danish with chants affirming that “Greenland is not for sale.”

    In Aarhus, Denmark’s second-largest city, demonstrators also gathered in the city center to protest U.S. actions and voice support for Greenland’s autonomy.

    Greenland, once a Danish colony, became an integral part of the Kingdom of Denmark in 1953. It was granted home rule in 1979, expanding its autonomy, though Denmark retains control over foreign affairs and defense.

    XINHUA

  • Danish leaders reject U.S. claims on Greenland, reaffirm sovereignty

    NUUK, Greenland, March 27 – Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen on Thursday reaffirmed that Greenland remains part of the Kingdom of Denmark, rejecting recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump, who said the United States would “go as far as they have to” to acquire the island.

    “Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark. That is not going to change,” Frederiksen told Danish media. “Greenland belongs to the Greenlandic people,” she added.

    Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen also criticized what he called a “false narrative” in U.S. political circles suggesting Greenland is eager to become American.

    Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen described Trump’s rhetoric as a “veiled threat” and “deeply inappropriate,” warning that the United States was escalating tensions. “It is the people of Greenland who determine Greenland’s future,” he said.

    Meanwhile, a demonstration has been planned in front of the U.S. Embassy in Copenhagen on Saturday to protest what organizers call “unwanted pressure” from Washington.

    The White House announced Tuesday that Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha Vance, will visit Pituffik Space Base on Friday to meet U.S. troops and review the security situation. Earlier plans for Usha Vance to attend cultural events in Nuuk and Sisimiut, including a dog sled race, have been canceled.

    Greenland had been a Danish colony until 1953 when it became an integral part of Denmark. In 1979, Greenland achieved home rule, gaining greater self-governance while Denmark retained authority over its foreign and defense policy.

    XINHUA