Mexican President Sheinbaum Denies Reports of US Military Intervention in Mexico

Mexico's President Sheinbaum has firmly rejected allegations that the United States is planning to send military forces into the country to confront dominant drug trafficking organizations, emphasizing that she has consistently declined such proposals from President Trump.

“This will not occur,” the President stated during her daily morning news conference on that day. “We are opposed to any process of interference or interventionism.”

Background on the Allegations

The President's remarks come after a report quoting current and former US officials that the Trump administration has initiated preparations for a mission to deploy American military personnel and agents into the neighboring nation.

The report indicated that although the mission was not imminent and a conclusive choice had been reached, the initial phases of training had commenced along with discussions about the extent of the deployment.

Furthermore, the account stated that American forces would function under the authority of the American spy agencies, and that officers from the CIA would also participate.

Mexico's Response

But Sheinbaum was adamant that her nation had “lack of details” about such a proposed intervention, even though she admitted that in phone calls with Trump, he had proposed to send troops and additional resources to confront criminal groups.

“I’ve always said thank you very much, Mr. Trump. But no, Mexico is a independent, sovereign and autonomous nation,” the President declared.

Historical Cooperation and Current Tensions

Mexico and the US have historically worked together in tackling cartels, with the United States at times dispatching intelligence, armed forces and Drug Enforcement Administration agents to support the country's efforts to combat organized crime.

But the incursion of American military into Mexico to engage with the cartels, particularly without the nation's consent, would be an unheard-of move that would almost certainly damage an fragile partnership between the two countries.

Latest Measures and Agreements

The US government has made confronting drug-trafficking groups a central pillar of its international strategy: in February, the US designated multiple drug cartels as terrorist groups.

It has also launched a multiple strikes against alleged narco vessels, most recently targeting ships in the Pacific Ocean that resulted in the deaths of 14 alleged traffickers in recent weeks.

While Mexico rescued one of the survivors from the attack, Sheinbaum criticized the strikes and instructed officials from her administration to address them with the American envoy to the nation.

On Tuesday, Sheinbaum also highlighted that Mexico had reached a security agreement with the United States that was negotiated over an extended period.

“We are going to continue working within this framework of understanding, which has very clear principles … which honors our sovereignty and our territorial integrity.”

Sheinbaum's Position on Security Strategy

The national leader has also appeared cooler on military-focused drug combat strategies than her predecessors: on the previous day, she ruled out any modifications to the nation's safety approach despite the recent brutal killing of a mayor in a Mexican state.

“Some are calling for military action and armed conflict, as happened with the anti-drug campaign,” she commented. “That didn’t work.”