🔗 Share this article

Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum has firmly rejected allegations that the US government is planning to deploy troops into the country to combat powerful drug trafficking organizations, emphasizing that she has consistently declined such offers from Donald Trump.

“It’s not going to happen,” Sheinbaum declared during her daily morning press briefing on that day. “We do not agree to any process of interventionism or external interference.”

Context on the Allegations

Sheinbaum's remarks come after a news story quoting present and past American authorities that the Trump administration has initiated preparations for a operation to send American military personnel and intelligence officers into the neighboring nation.

This information indicated that although the mission was not imminent and a conclusive choice had been made, the initial phases of training had already begun along with discussions about the extent of the deployment.

Furthermore, the account stated that US troops would operate under the authority of the American spy agencies, and that officers from the Central Intelligence Agency would take part as well.

Mexico's Reaction

But Sheinbaum was adamant that her country had “lack of details” about such a proposed incursion, even though she acknowledged that in conversations with Trump, he had offered to send troops and other assistance to confront organized crime.

“I have repeatedly stated my gratitude, President Trump. But absolutely not, our country is a independent, independent and sovereign nation,” Sheinbaum affirmed.

Historical Collaboration and Current Tensions

Mexico and the US have historically worked together in addressing cartels, with the US at times dispatching CIA, military and Drug Enforcement Administration operatives to support Mexico's efforts to fight criminal networks.

But the entry of US troops into Mexico to directly confront the cartels, particularly without the nation's agreement, would be an unprecedented move that would almost certainly damage an fragile partnership between the two countries.

Recent Actions and Understandings

The US government has designated confronting drug-trafficking groups a central pillar of its foreign policy: in February, Washington classified six Mexican cartels as terrorist groups.

It has also initiated a multiple strikes against alleged drug-trafficking boats, including striking vessels in the eastern Pacific that killed multiple suspects in recent weeks.

While authorities saved one of the survivors from the strike, Sheinbaum criticized the actions and instructed representatives from her government to discuss them with the US ambassador to the nation.

On that day, Sheinbaum also noted that the country had finalized a cooperation pact with the US that was discussed over several months.

“We are going to continue working within this cooperative structure, which has defined guidelines … which honors our sovereignty and our territoriality.”

The President's Stance on Anti-Narcotics Approach

The national leader has also seemed cooler on military-focused anti-narcotics tactics than her predecessors: on the previous day, she ruled out any modifications to the country’s safety approach despite the murder of a local official in a Mexican state.

“There are demands for military action and war, as occurred with the anti-drug campaign,” Sheinbaum said. “That didn’t work.”