Mexico's Leader Claudia Sheinbaum Rejects Reports of American Troop Deployment in Mexico
The nation's President Sheinbaum has firmly rejected reports that the United States is considering to deploy troops into Mexico to combat dominant cartels, emphasizing that she has consistently declined such proposals from President Trump.
“It’s not going to happen,” Sheinbaum stated during her daily morning press briefing on that day. “We do not agree to any process of interventionism or external interference.”
Background on the Reports
Sheinbaum's remarks follow a report quoting present and past American authorities that the US government has started planning for a mission to deploy American military personnel and intelligence officers into the neighboring nation.
The report indicated that although the mission was not immediate and a conclusive choice had been reached, the initial phases of preparation had commenced along with discussions about the extent of the operation.
Additionally, the account mentioned that US troops would function under the jurisdiction of the US intelligence community, and that officers from the CIA would take part as well.
The Nation's Reaction
But the Mexican leader was adamant that her country had “no information” about such a planned incursion, although she acknowledged that in phone calls with Trump, he had offered to dispatch troops and other assistance to confront criminal groups.
“I’ve always said my gratitude, Mr. Trump. But absolutely not, Mexico is a free, independent and sovereign country,” Sheinbaum declared.
Past Collaboration and Current Strains
The two nations have long collaborated in tackling drug-trafficking groups, with the US at times dispatching intelligence, military and DEA operatives to support the country's initiatives to combat organized crime.
But the entry of US troops into the territory to directly confront the cartels, particularly without the nation's agreement, would be an unheard-of step that would likely damage an fragile partnership between the two countries.
Recent Measures and Agreements
The US government has designated addressing criminal organizations a key element of its international strategy: in last winter, the US classified six Mexican cartels as terrorist groups.
Additionally, it has launched a series of attacks against alleged drug-trafficking boats, including targeting vessels in the Pacific Ocean that killed 14 alleged traffickers in late October.
While Mexico saved a survivor from the attack, the President condemned the actions and ordered representatives from her government to discuss them with the US ambassador to Mexico.
On that day, Sheinbaum also highlighted that the country had reached a cooperation pact with the United States that was discussed over several months.
“We are going to continue working within this cooperative structure, which has very clear principles … which respects our sovereignty and our territoriality.”
The President's Position on Anti-Narcotics Strategy
The national leader has also appeared less enthusiastic on militarised anti-narcotics tactics than her predecessors: on Monday, she ruled out any changes to the nation's security strategy despite the murder of a mayor in western Mexico.
“Some are calling for militarization and war, as happened with the war on drugs,” she commented. “It proved ineffective.”