Mexican Leader Sheinbaum Rejects Claims of American Military Intervention in the Country
The nation's President Claudia Sheinbaum has firmly denied reports that the United States is considering to send troops into Mexico to combat dominant cartels, emphasizing that she has consistently refused such offers from President Trump.
“This will not occur,” Sheinbaum declared during her daily morning press briefing 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 report citing current and former American authorities that the US government has started planning for a mission to send American military personnel and agents into Mexico.
This information indicated that although the mission was not imminent and no final decision had been made, the early stages of training had commenced along with discussions about the scope of the deployment.
Additionally, the report stated that US troops would function under the authority of the US intelligence community, and that personnel from the Central Intelligence Agency would also participate.
Mexico's Reaction
But Sheinbaum was insistent that her country had “no information” about such a planned incursion, even though she acknowledged that in conversations with Trump, he had proposed to send military support and additional resources to tackle organized crime.
“I’ve always said thank you very much, President Trump. But no, Mexico is a independent, independent and sovereign nation,” Sheinbaum affirmed.
Past Collaboration and Present Strains
Mexico and the US have long collaborated in addressing drug-trafficking groups, with the United States at times dispatching intelligence, military and Drug Enforcement Administration operatives to assist Mexico's efforts to combat criminal networks.
But the incursion of American military into Mexico to directly confront the drug lords, especially without the nation's consent, would be an unprecedented step that would likely damage an fragile bilateral relationship.
Recent Actions and Agreements
The US government has made addressing criminal organizations a central pillar of its international strategy: in February, the US classified six Mexican cartels as terrorist groups.
It has also launched a multiple strikes against alleged narco vessels, including targeting vessels in the eastern Pacific that resulted in the deaths of multiple suspects in recent weeks.
While Mexico saved a survivor from the attack, the President criticized the strikes and ordered officials from her administration to address them with the US ambassador to the nation.
On Tuesday, she also noted that Mexico had reached a cooperation pact with the US that was negotiated over an extended period.
“We are going to continue working within this cooperative structure, which has defined guidelines … which honors our sovereignty and our territorial integrity.”
Sheinbaum's Stance on Anti-Narcotics Approach
The Mexican president has also appeared cooler on militarised anti-narcotics tactics than her preceding leaders: on Monday, she dismissed any modifications to the nation'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 war on drugs,” Sheinbaum commented. “It proved ineffective.”