Mexico's President Sheinbaum has firmly denied allegations that the US government is planning to send military forces into the country to confront dominant drug trafficking organizations, stating that she has repeatedly declined such proposals from President Trump.
“It’s not going to happen,” Sheinbaum stated during her regular press briefing on that day. “We are opposed to any process of interventionism or interventionism.”
Background on the Reports
Sheinbaum's remarks follow a news story quoting current and former US officials that the Trump administration has started planning for a mission to send US troops and intelligence officers into Mexico.
This information suggested that although the mission was not immediate and no final decision had been made, the early stages of training had already begun along with talks about the extent of the operation.
Furthermore, the account stated that American forces would function under the jurisdiction of the American spy agencies, and that personnel from the Central Intelligence Agency would also participate.
The Nation's Response
But the Mexican leader was insistent that her country had “lack of details” about such a planned incursion, even though she acknowledged that in phone calls with Trump, he had offered to dispatch military support and other assistance to confront criminal groups.
“I have repeatedly stated my gratitude, Mr. Trump. But absolutely not, Mexico is a independent, sovereign and sovereign nation,” the President affirmed.
Past Collaboration and Present Strains
Mexico and the US have historically worked together in addressing cartels, with the US at times dispatching intelligence, military and DEA operatives to support Mexico's efforts to combat criminal networks.
But the incursion of US troops into Mexico to directly confront the drug lords, particularly without the nation's consent, would be an unprecedented move that would almost certainly damage an fragile partnership between the two countries.
Latest Actions and Agreements
The US government has made addressing drug-trafficking groups a central pillar of its international strategy: in last winter, Washington classified multiple drug cartels as terrorist groups.
Additionally, it has initiated a series of attacks against suspected drug-trafficking boats, including targeting ships in the eastern Pacific that killed 14 alleged traffickers in late October.
Although Mexico saved one of the survivors from the strike, the President condemned the actions and ordered officials from her administration to discuss them with the US ambassador to Mexico.
On that day, Sheinbaum also highlighted that the country had finalized a security agreement with the United States that was negotiated over an extended period.
“We will proceed within this framework of understanding, which has very clear principles … which respects our sovereignty and our territoriality.”
Sheinbaum's Position on Anti-Narcotics Strategy
The national leader has also seemed less enthusiastic on military-focused drug combat strategies than her preceding leaders: on the previous day, she ruled out any modifications to the country’s safety approach despite the murder of a mayor in western Mexico.
“Some are calling for militarization and armed conflict, as occurred with the anti-drug campaign,” she commented. “It proved ineffective.”
