Greenlanders have held a demonstration against the United States following the opening of a larger diplomatic hub in Nuuk.
The event became a focal point for locals opposed to US President Donald Trump’s ambitions for greater influence over the Arctic island, while local government ministers pointedly shied away from the ceremony.
Moving from a modest wooden cabin on the outskirts of the capital to a much larger downtown office, the new United States consulate has drawn intense public scrutiny.
The expansion follows controversial statements from the White House regarding Washington’s desire to gain control of the island, which remains a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark.
Political boycott and public anger
Greenland’s Prime Minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, alongside a series of other local politicians, confirmed they had declined invitations to attend the official opening of the new diplomatic mission.
“We haven’t made a decision in principle, but I won’t participate,” Nielsen told local daily newspaper Sermitsiaq.
Outside the downtown office, several hundred people gathered to protest against the growing American presence.
Demonstrators carried the island’s red and white flag alongside posters reading “USA, stop it”, whilst chanting “No means no” and “Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders”.
