Agencies Copenhagen

Danish police have sent extra personnel and sniffer dogs to Greenland as the mineral-rich island steps up security measures ahead of a planned visit this week by US second lady Usha Vance, which has stirred new concerns about the Trump administration's interest in the autonomous Danish territory.

Greenland's prime minister lamented a "mess" caused by the visit from Vance, who reportedly will be accompanied by Trump's national security adviser. Danish National Police spokesman Rene Gyldensten said Monday the extra officers, deployed the day before, were part of regular steps taken during visits by dignitaries. Citing office procedure, he declined to specify the number of extra police flown on the chartered flight. News reports put the number at dozens.

The visit - in which Vance plans to learn more about Greenland's cultural heritage and see a national dogsled race - comes against the backdrop of US President Donald Trump's ambition for the United States to seize control of Greenland. The trip Thursday to Saturday by the wife of Vice President JD Vance and one of their three children has fanned new worry among politicians in Greenland, a self-governing, mineral-rich territory of American and NATO ally Denmark that already houses a US military base.

Media outlets in Greenland and Denmark reported that Vance would be accompanied by Trump's national security adviser, Mike Waltz. The White House and the National Security Council did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Greenlandic news outlet Sermitsiaq posted images of two US Hercules workhorse military aircraft on the tarmac Sunday in Nuuk, the capital.