Denmark has publicly apologized to Greenland over the administration of birth control on its girls and women over decades as part of plans to fend off growing U.S. interest in the mineral-rich island.

The incident which involved fitting intrauterine devices in women and girls as young as 13 without their knowledge or consent ran from 1966 up until 1991 according to records uncovered in 2022.

"We cannot change what has happened. But we can take responsibility. Therefore, on behalf of Denmark, I would like to say: Sorry," Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said.

This is the latest in a slew of allegations of mistreatment of the Greenlandic people by Danish authorities in the now semi-autonomous Danish territory .

Denmark had on Wednesday summoned a U.S. envoy to Copenhagen over Danish Intelligence reports that American citizens had been conducting covert influence operations in Greenland. 

The U.S. Embassy is yet to respond to a request for comment over these allegations. 

Polls show most of Greenland's 60,000 residents favour eventual independence from Denmark but not a U.S. takeover.

Former Greenlandic PM Mute Egede had said in January that “Greenland does not want to be American or Danish” explaining that the arctic Island was “not for sale”.

U.S. President Donald Trump also said he wants to take over Greenland for national and international security reasons, citing the historic mistreatment of Greenland's residents under Danish rule. 

Last year, a group of women from Greenland, now in their 70s and 80s, sought compensation in court from Denmark over the involuntary birth control campaign.

Denmark has yet to provide compensation, citing an ongoing investigation to uncover the extent of the cases and the decision-making process behind the campaign.

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