The nation's head of state Claudia Sheinbaum has categorically denied reports that the United States is planning to send military forces into Mexico to combat dominant cartels, stating that she has consistently declined such offers from Donald Trump.
“It’s not going to happen,” the President stated during her daily morning news conference on Tuesday. “We do not agree to any form of interference or external interference.”
Context on the Allegations
The President's comments come after a report citing present and past US officials that the US government has started planning for a operation to send American military personnel and intelligence officers into Mexico.
This information indicated that although the mission was not imminent and a conclusive choice had been made, the initial phases of training had commenced along with talks about the scope of the deployment.
Furthermore, the account stated that US troops would function under the jurisdiction of the American spy agencies, and that officers from the CIA would take part as well.
Mexico's Reaction
But Sheinbaum was adamant that her country had “lack of details” about such a proposed intervention, although she admitted that in conversations with Trump, he had proposed to dispatch military support and additional resources to tackle organized crime.
“I have repeatedly stated thank you very much, President Trump. But no, our country is a free, sovereign and autonomous nation,” Sheinbaum declared.
Past Collaboration and Current Tensions
The two nations have historically worked together in addressing cartels, with the United States at times dispatching CIA, military and DEA operatives to assist Mexico's initiatives to fight organized crime.
But the entry of American military into the territory to directly confront the drug lords, particularly without Mexico's consent, would be an unprecedented step that would likely damage an fragile bilateral relationship.
Recent Actions and Understandings
The Trump administration has made confronting drug-trafficking groups a central pillar of its international strategy: in last winter, Washington classified multiple drug cartels as terrorist groups.
Additionally, it has launched a multiple strikes against alleged drug-trafficking boats, including striking vessels in the eastern Pacific that resulted in the deaths of multiple suspects in late October.
Although Mexico saved one of the survivors from the attack, Sheinbaum criticized the strikes and ordered officials from her administration to discuss them with the US ambassador to Mexico.
On that day, she also noted that the country had finalized a security agreement with the United States that was negotiated over an extended period.
“We are going to continue working within this cooperative structure, which has very clear principles … which respects our sovereignty and our territorial integrity.”
The President's Position on Anti-Narcotics Strategy
The Mexican president has also seemed less enthusiastic on military-focused anti-narcotics tactics than her preceding leaders: on the previous day, she ruled out any modifications to the country’s security strategy despite the recent brutal killing of a mayor in western Mexico.
“Some are calling for militarization and armed conflict, as happened with the anti-drug campaign,” Sheinbaum commented. “That didn’t work.”
