🔗 Share this article

The nation's President Sheinbaum has firmly rejected allegations that the US government is planning to deploy military forces into the country to combat powerful cartels, emphasizing that she has consistently declined such offers from Donald Trump.

“It’s not going to happen,” Sheinbaum declared during her regular news conference on that day. “We do not agree to any form of interventionism or external interference.”

Context on the Allegations

The President's remarks come after a news story citing current and former American authorities that the US government has started planning for a mission to send US troops and intelligence officers into Mexico.

This information suggested that although the mission was not imminent and no final decision had been reached, the early stages of training had commenced along with talks about the extent of the deployment.

Furthermore, the account mentioned that US troops would operate under the authority of the US intelligence community, and that officers from the Central Intelligence Agency would take part as well.

Mexico's Reaction

But Sheinbaum was insistent that her country had “lack of details” about such a proposed intervention, even though she acknowledged that in conversations with the US president, he had offered to send military support and other assistance to confront criminal groups.

“I have repeatedly stated thank you very much, Mr. Trump. But absolutely not, Mexico is a independent, sovereign and sovereign nation,” the President affirmed.

Historical Collaboration and Present Tensions

The two nations have historically worked together in addressing cartels, with the United States at times sending CIA, armed forces and DEA agents to support the country's efforts to fight criminal networks.

But the entry of US troops into Mexico to directly confront the cartels, especially without Mexico's consent, would be an unheard-of step that would likely fracture an already tenuous bilateral relationship.

Recent Measures and Understandings

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

Additionally, it has initiated a multiple strikes against alleged narco vessels, most recently targeting ships in the Pacific Ocean that killed 14 alleged traffickers in late October.

Although authorities rescued a survivor from the strike, Sheinbaum condemned the strikes and ordered representatives from her government to address them with the American envoy to Mexico.

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

“We are going to continue working within this framework of understanding, which has very clear principles … which honors our independence and our territorial integrity.”

Sheinbaum's Position on Anti-Narcotics Strategy

The Mexican president has also seemed less enthusiastic on military-focused drug combat strategies than her preceding leaders: on the previous day, she dismissed any modifications to the nation's security strategy despite the recent brutal killing of a local official in a Mexican state.

“Some are calling for militarization and armed conflict, as occurred with the war on drugs,” she commented. “It proved ineffective.”