Lead

US special envoy Jeff Landry has said Washington needs to rebuild its presence in Greenland, as the island's government criticised the arrival of a US doctor in Nuuk alongside him, saying Greenlanders are not "experimental subjects."

Landry, who is also governor of Louisiana, told AFP on Wednesday that "it's time for the US to put its footprint back on Greenland." He said the US was "talking about increasing national security operations and repopulating certain bases in Greenland," and added: "Greenland needs the US."

His remarks came as Greenlandic officials condemned the presence of Joseph Griffin, a US doctor who said he had joined the delegation as a volunteer to "assess the medical needs" of the Arctic island.

Coverage Comparison

Two news organisations — France 24 (English) and The Guardian — have covered the visit, with differing emphases.

France 24 focused on Landry's comments about rebuilding the US presence, noting that Washington currently operates just one base in Greenland — Pituffik in the north — after closing 17 facilities since the Cold War. The outlet also reported that the US wants to open three new bases in the south of the territory, according to recent media reports, and cited a 1951 defence pact, updated in 2004, that allows Washington to ramp up troop deployments and military installations on the island provided it informs Denmark and Greenland in advance.

The Guardian's coverage centered on the controversy surrounding Griffin's presence. The outlet reported that Greenland's health minister, Anna Wangenheim, described it as "deeply problematic," and that Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen also criticised the doctor's visit. The Guardian also highlighted the historical context of health-related abuses of Indigenous Greenlanders by Danish doctors during the colonial era.

Key Claims

  • Jeff Landry said the US needs to rebuild its presence in Greenland, citing national security concerns and economic interests.
  • The US wants to open three new bases in the south of Greenland, according to recent media reports.
  • A 1951 defence pact, updated in 2004, allows Washington to increase troop deployments and military installations on the island, provided it informs Denmark and Greenland in advance.
  • Joseph Griffin, a US doctor, arrived in Nuuk alongside Landry and said he had joined as a volunteer to assess Greenland's medical needs.
  • Greenland's health minister, Anna Wangenheim, condemned Griffin's presence, saying "Greenlanders are not experimental subjects in a geopolitical project."
  • Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said that "if you want to learn about health conditions in Greenland, you have to contact Greenland through the right channels."
  • Trump has repeatedly threatened to invade Greenland.
  • The US offered to send a hospital ship to Greenland in February, which was refused.
  • Greenland has a history of health-related abuses of Indigenous people by Danish doctors.

Perspectives

US Envoy Jeff Landry

Landry argued that the US needs to increase its military and economic presence in Greenland, citing national security concerns and the island's strategic importance.

Greenlandic Government

Greenland's health minister and prime minister rejected the involvement of the US doctor, insisting that healthcare development must be based on Greenlandic self-determination and respectful cooperation, not political envoys with hidden strategic interests.

Trump Administration

President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in controlling Greenland, citing national security concerns and the risk of the island falling into the hands of China or Russia.