Mexico's head of state Sheinbaum has firmly denied reports that the United States is planning to send troops into Mexico to confront powerful cartels, emphasizing that she has consistently declined such proposals from President Trump.
“It’s not going to happen,” Sheinbaum declared during her regular press briefing on Tuesday. “We do not agree to any process of interventionism or external interference.”
Background on the Allegations
The President's comments come after a report citing current and former American authorities that the US government has initiated preparations for a mission to send US troops and agents into the neighboring nation.
This information suggested that although the operation was not immediate and a conclusive choice had been reached, the early stages of preparation had already begun along with talks about the scope of the operation.
Additionally, the report stated that US troops would function under the authority of the US intelligence community, and that personnel from the CIA would take part as well.
Mexico's Reaction
But Sheinbaum was insistent that her country had “lack of details” about such a planned intervention, although she admitted that in phone calls with the US president, he had offered to dispatch military support and other assistance to confront criminal groups.
“I’ve always said thank you very much, President Trump. But absolutely not, Mexico is a free, sovereign and sovereign country,” the President affirmed.
Past Cooperation and Present Strains
Mexico and the US have long collaborated in addressing cartels, with the United States at times dispatching CIA, military and DEA agents to support Mexico's initiatives to combat organized crime.
But the entry of American military into the territory to directly confront the drug lords, particularly without Mexico's agreement, would be an unheard-of move that would likely fracture an fragile bilateral relationship.
Latest Measures and Understandings
The Trump administration has designated addressing drug-trafficking groups a key element of its international strategy: in February, the US designated multiple drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.
Additionally, it has initiated a series of attacks against alleged drug-trafficking boats, most recently targeting vessels in the Pacific Ocean that resulted in the deaths of 14 alleged traffickers in late October.
Although Mexico saved one of the survivors from the attack, the President condemned the actions and instructed officials from her government to address them with the American envoy to Mexico.
On that day, Sheinbaum also noted that Mexico had reached a security agreement with the United States that was discussed over several months.
“We will proceed within this framework of understanding, which has defined guidelines … which respects our independence and our territorial integrity.”
Sheinbaum's Position on Security Approach
The national leader has also seemed less enthusiastic on military-focused anti-narcotics tactics than her predecessors: on Monday, she ruled out any modifications to the country’s security strategy despite the recent brutal killing of a local official in a Mexican state.
“There are demands for militarization and war, as happened with the war on drugs,” she said. “That didn’t work.”
