🔗 Share this article

The nation's head of state Sheinbaum has firmly rejected reports that the United States is considering to send military forces into Mexico to confront powerful cartels, stating that she has repeatedly declined such offers from President Trump.

“It’s not going to happen,” the President stated 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

The President's comments follow a news story citing current and former US officials that the Trump administration has started planning for a operation to send American military personnel and agents into Mexico.

The report indicated that although the mission was not imminent and a conclusive choice had been reached, the early stages of preparation had already begun along with discussions about the extent of the deployment.

Furthermore, the account mentioned that American forces would operate under the jurisdiction of the American spy agencies, and that officers from the Central Intelligence Agency would also participate.

Mexico's Response

But Sheinbaum was insistent that her nation had “no information” about such a planned incursion, even though she acknowledged that in conversations with the US president, he had proposed to dispatch troops and additional resources to tackle criminal groups.

“I’ve always said my gratitude, Mr. Trump. But absolutely not, Mexico is a independent, sovereign and autonomous nation,” the President declared.

Historical Collaboration and Current Tensions

The two nations have historically worked together in tackling cartels, with the United States at times dispatching intelligence, armed forces and DEA agents to support the country's initiatives to fight organized crime.

But the incursion of American military into the territory to engage with the drug lords, especially without the nation's agreement, would be an unprecedented step that would almost certainly fracture an already tenuous bilateral relationship.

Latest Measures and Understandings

The US government has designated addressing criminal organizations a central pillar of its international strategy: in February, the US designated multiple drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.

It has also initiated a series of attacks against suspected narco vessels, most recently targeting vessels in the Pacific Ocean that killed 14 alleged traffickers in recent weeks.

Although Mexico saved one of the survivors from the strike, the President condemned the strikes and ordered officials from her administration to discuss them with the US ambassador to Mexico.

On that day, she also highlighted that the country had finalized a cooperation pact with the US that was discussed over an extended period.

“We are going to continue working within this framework of understanding, which has defined guidelines … which respects our sovereignty and our territorial integrity.”

Sheinbaum's Position on Security Approach

The Mexican president has also appeared less enthusiastic on militarised anti-narcotics tactics than her predecessors: on Monday, she dismissed any changes to the country’s safety approach despite the murder of a local official in western Mexico.

“Some are calling for militarization and armed conflict, as occurred with the anti-drug campaign,” she commented. “It proved ineffective.”