The nation's President Sheinbaum has categorically rejected reports that the US government is planning to deploy troops into Mexico to confront powerful cartels, stating that she has consistently refused such proposals from President Trump.
“This will not occur,” Sheinbaum stated during her daily morning news conference on Tuesday. “We are opposed to any process of interference or interventionism.”
Background on the Reports
Sheinbaum's comments follow a report quoting present and past American authorities that the US government has started planning for a mission to send American military personnel and intelligence officers into Mexico.
The report suggested that although the mission was not immediate and no final decision had been reached, the early stages of training had already begun along with talks about the scope of the deployment.
Furthermore, the report stated that US troops would function under the jurisdiction of the American spy agencies, and that personnel from the CIA would take part as well.
The Nation's Response
But the Mexican leader was adamant that her country had “no information” about such a proposed intervention, even though she acknowledged that in phone calls with the US president, he had offered to dispatch military support and additional resources to confront criminal groups.
“I’ve always said thank you very much, President Trump. But no, Mexico is a free, independent and sovereign nation,” Sheinbaum declared.
Historical Collaboration and Present Tensions
Mexico and the US have long collaborated in addressing drug-trafficking groups, with the United States at times dispatching intelligence, military and DEA agents to support Mexico's initiatives to combat criminal networks.
But the incursion of US troops into Mexico to engage with the drug lords, particularly without Mexico's consent, would be an unheard-of move that would likely fracture an fragile bilateral relationship.
Latest Actions and Understandings
The US government has made confronting drug-trafficking groups a central pillar of its foreign policy: in February, Washington classified six Mexican cartels as terrorist groups.
Additionally, it has launched a series of attacks against alleged drug-trafficking boats, most recently targeting ships in the Pacific Ocean that resulted in the deaths of multiple suspects in late October.
While Mexico rescued one of the survivors from the strike, Sheinbaum criticized the actions and instructed officials from her administration to discuss them with the US ambassador to the nation.
On that day, Sheinbaum also highlighted that the country had finalized a security agreement with the US that was discussed over an extended period.
“We are going to continue working within this cooperative structure, which has defined guidelines … which respects our independence and our territorial integrity.”
The President's Position on Anti-Narcotics Strategy
The Mexican president has also appeared less enthusiastic on militarised drug combat strategies than her predecessors: on Monday, she ruled out any changes to the country’s safety approach despite the murder of a mayor in western Mexico.
“Some are calling for militarization and war, as occurred with the war on drugs,” she said. “It proved ineffective.”
