Hundreds of protesters gathered in Nuuk on Thursday to demonstrate against the opening of a new U.S. consulate building, chanting 'USA go home' and expressing anger over President Donald Trump's ambitions for the Arctic island.
First U.S. Consulate in Greenland Since the 1950s
U.S. officials inaugurated the consulate in central Nuuk earlier in the day, marking the first permanent American diplomatic presence in Greenland since the 1950s. The facility represents a more enduring U.S. footprint on the island, where unease has grown since Trump revived discussions about acquiring the territory.
Protesters Voice Sovereignty Concerns
Aqqalukkuluk Fontain, a 37-year-old IT account manager who organized the rally, addressed the crowd through a megaphone. 'We don't want to be American,' he shouted, drawing applause. 'We demand respect, sovereignty and the right to exist without threats, without pressure, and without imperial fantasies.'
Protesters carried Greenlandic flags and anti-American banners, and after chanting, they turned their backs on the consulate building for a two-minute silent action.
Diplomatic Ceremony Draws Mixed Attendance
The formal consulate inauguration earlier in the day attracted dozens of diplomats, business leaders, and local representatives. A small number of Greenlandic politicians attended, including Vivian Motzfeldt, a former government minister who participated in high-stakes diplomatic talks with the U.S. earlier this year.
U.S. Ambassador to Denmark, Kenneth Howery, speaking at the Future Greenland conference in Nuuk on Wednesday, said the new facility aims to bring the U.S. and Greenland 'closer.' He emphasized that the consulate demonstrates the U.S. long-term commitment to the region.
Consulate Services and Future Plans
Howery noted that the consulate will host official visits, business delegations, and cultural events, while also supporting visiting Americans and offering visa services to Greenlanders. The U.S. had reestablished a diplomatic presence in Nuuk in 2020, but officials were previously housed at facilities run by Denmark's military.
The consulate opening coincides with a visit by Trump's newly appointed envoy to Greenland, Jeff Landry, whose trip reignited worries about Washington's intentions. Landry plans to brief Trump on potential business opportunities in the territory.
