Greenlanders march across Nuuk against Trump's threat of takeover

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Greenlanders march across Nuuk against Trump's threat of takeover

2026-01-18 14:13 Last Updated At：01-20 00:02

Thousands of Greenlanders, joined by government officials, marched across the capital Nuuk on Saturday to protest against U.S. President Donald Trump's threat to take over the territory.

In Nuuk, people began gathering from early afternoon, chanting "Greenland belongs to Greenlanders."

The protest drew broad participation, including Greenland's Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen, who waved a Greenlandic flag. Many participants wore caps bearing the words "Make America Go Away."

Before marching to the U.S. consulate in Nuuk, the crowd gathered for a minute of silence.

Then they sang Ayaya songs, a traditional Inuit way of sharing experiences, resolving conflict, and de-escalating tension.

Orla Joelsen who organized the protest said Trump should stop the psychological threats against Greenland.

The psychological impact of Trump's threats is being felt strongly by many there.

"I live in danger. I also don't get so much sleep because in all the news there I see is about Donald Trump wants to buy Greenland, and Greenland is not for sale, and we will never be for sale," said Parnuna Olsen, a protester.

When asked about how she felt in terms of Trump's threat, another protester named Jane said: "Stomachache, nervousness, how this is going to end. Because I know he wants revenge. I don't know any nice words about him."

"I have completely lost for words for what he is doing now. It is just completely insane," said Malik Dolleruk Sehebel, another protester.

Greenland is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, with Copenhagen retaining control over defense and foreign policy. The United States maintains a military base on the island.

Trump has repeatedly demonstrated his interest in Greenland, from "buying" the island during his first presidential term, to the current employment of "a range of options" including "utilizing the U.S. military" to seize the autonomous island.

Later in the afternoon, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the United States will impose 10-percent tariffs on all goods from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, Britain, the Netherlands and Finland over Greenland issue starting on Feb 1.

Those tariffs would increase to 25 percent on June 1, and would continue until a deal is reached for the United States to purchase Greenland, Trump said on social media.

Hezbollah chief says any Israeli military presence in Lebanon unacceptable

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said Sunday that any Israeli military presence on Lebanese territory is unacceptable, stressing that the Lebanese army is the "only party authorized to protect national sovereignty."

"There is no place for security zones or Israeli military positions inside Lebanon," Qassem said in a televised speech on al-Manar local TV channel.

He accused Israel of attempting to redefine the Nov. 27, 2024 ceasefire by maintaining freedom of military action inside Lebanon while demanding full compliance from Hezbollah.

He said any future understanding must be based on a complete halt to Israeli attacks, full withdrawal of Israeli forces, and deployment of the Lebanese army south of the Litani River.

Hezbollah remains committed to any comprehensive ceasefire but will not accept continued "Israeli violations," he said.

Qassem also said the United States can compel Israel to stop its attacks if it chooses to do so, adding that U.S. support has enabled Israel to continue its military operations.

On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the Israeli military will continue its long-term presence in the so-called "security zone" in southern Lebanon, based on security needs, until the security threat to Israel is eliminated.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz also said on Sunday that the Israeli army will not withdraw from the "security zone" it holds in southern Lebanon, despite a recent ceasefire announcement.

Katz affirmed in a statement that the Israeli military would remain at all positions in the "security zone," which he claimed protects northern Israeli settlements.

He added that there was and is no restriction on Israeli soldiers in Lebanon to act to eliminate threats.

Israel's military chief Eyal Zamir said Sunday that the ceasefire declared in Lebanon the day before is "fragile," according to a statement from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

Speaking during a situation assessment with senior commanders of units operating in southern Lebanon, Zamir stated that the military must maintain a high level of readiness for the renewal of combat operations, and the elimination of threats.

He added that the Israeli military continues to fight, and that its goal remains to protect communities in northern Israel.

The cumulative death toll from Israeli attacks on Lebanon since March 2 had risen to 4,057, with 12,121 people wounded, the Lebanese Health Ministry's Public Health Emergency Operations Center said Saturday.