🔗 Share this article

Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum has categorically denied allegations that the US government is planning to send troops into Mexico to combat dominant cartels, stating that she has consistently refused such proposals from Donald Trump.

“It’s not going to happen,” Sheinbaum declared during her daily morning press briefing on Tuesday. “We are opposed to any form of interventionism or external interference.”

Context on the Reports

Sheinbaum's remarks 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 the neighboring nation.

This information suggested that although the mission was not imminent and a conclusive choice had been reached, the initial phases of preparation had already begun along with talks about the scope of the operation.

Furthermore, the report mentioned that US troops would operate under the jurisdiction of the American spy agencies, and that personnel from the CIA would take part as well.

Mexico's Reaction

But Sheinbaum was adamant that her nation had “no information” about such a proposed intervention, even though she acknowledged that in conversations with the US president, he had offered to send military support and additional resources to confront organized crime.

“I’ve always said my gratitude, Mr. Trump. But no, Mexico is a free, sovereign and autonomous country,” Sheinbaum declared.

Past Collaboration and Current Strains

The two nations have historically worked together in tackling drug-trafficking groups, with the US at times sending intelligence, military and Drug Enforcement Administration operatives to support the country's efforts to fight criminal networks.

But the incursion of US troops into the territory to directly confront the drug lords, particularly without the nation's consent, would be an unprecedented move that would almost certainly damage an already tenuous bilateral relationship.

Recent 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.

Additionally, it has initiated a series of attacks against suspected narco vessels, most recently targeting ships in the eastern Pacific that killed multiple suspects in recent weeks.

While Mexico rescued a survivor from the attack, the President condemned the strikes and instructed representatives from her government to address them with the American envoy to the nation.

On that day, Sheinbaum also noted that Mexico had finalized a cooperation pact with the US that was discussed over several months.

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

The President's Stance on Anti-Narcotics Strategy

The national leader has also seemed less enthusiastic on militarised drug combat strategies than her predecessors: on the previous day, she dismissed any changes to the nation's security strategy despite the murder of a mayor in western Mexico.

“There are demands for military action and war, as happened with the anti-drug campaign,” she commented. “It proved ineffective.”