COPENHAGEN, Denmark
Danish forces evacuated an ailing U.S. submarine crew member off the coast of Greenland on Saturday, a routine rescue that quickly became entangled in a political dispute after President Donald Trump announced plans to send an American hospital ship to the Danish territory.
The Joint Arctic Command said the crew member was retrieved by a Danish Seahawk helicopter deployed from an inspection vessel and transported to a hospital in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, approximately 7 nautical miles from shore.
Hours later, Trump took to his Truth Social platform to announce that the U.S. would dispatch a hospital ship to Greenland, alleging that residents are sick and not receiving adequate care.
“Working with the fantastic Governor of Louisiana, Jeff Landry, we are going to send a great hospital boat to Greenland to take care of the many people who are sick, and not being taken care of there.
It’s on the way!!!” Trump wrote, referring to his special envoy for the territory.
The announcement drew a swift response from Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who defended Greenland’s health care system.
Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen told public broadcaster DR that authorities had not been informed the vessel was en route.
By James Kisoo
