Mexico's Leader Sheinbaum Rejects Claims of US Troop Deployment in Mexico
The nation's President Sheinbaum has categorically denied allegations that the United States is considering to deploy military forces into the country to combat powerful cartels, emphasizing that she has consistently declined such offers from President Trump.
“It’s not going to happen,” Sheinbaum declared during her daily morning press briefing on that day. “We are opposed to any process of interference or interventionism.”
Context on the Allegations
The President's comments come after a news story quoting current and former American authorities that the Trump administration has started planning for a operation to send US troops and agents into Mexico.
The report suggested that although the operation was not imminent and a conclusive choice had been made, the initial phases of training had commenced along with discussions about the scope of the deployment.
Additionally, the report stated that US troops would function under the jurisdiction of the American spy agencies, and that personnel from the Central Intelligence Agency would take part as well.
Mexico's Reaction
But Sheinbaum was insistent that her nation had “lack of details” about such a planned intervention, even though 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, our country is a independent, independent and sovereign country,” the President declared.
Past Cooperation and Current Tensions
The two nations have historically worked together in addressing drug-trafficking groups, with the United States at times sending CIA, armed forces and DEA operatives to assist Mexico's initiatives to fight organized crime.
But the incursion of American military into Mexico to directly confront the drug lords, particularly without the nation's agreement, would be an unheard-of move that would almost certainly damage an already tenuous partnership between the two countries.
Recent Actions and Understandings
The US government has designated addressing drug-trafficking groups a central pillar of its international strategy: in last winter, Washington designated six Mexican cartels as terrorist groups.
Additionally, it has launched a multiple strikes against alleged drug-trafficking boats, including striking vessels in the eastern Pacific that killed multiple suspects in late October.
While authorities saved one of the survivors from the strike, Sheinbaum criticized the actions and instructed representatives from her administration to address them with the US ambassador to Mexico.
On that day, she also noted that Mexico had finalized a cooperation pact with the US that was discussed over several months.
“We will proceed within this framework of understanding, which has very clear principles … which honors our independence and our territorial integrity.”
Sheinbaum's Position on Security Strategy
The national leader has also appeared cooler on military-focused anti-narcotics tactics than her predecessors: on Monday, she dismissed any changes to the nation's safety approach despite the recent brutal killing of a local official in a Mexican state.
“Some are calling for militarization and armed conflict, as occurred with the anti-drug campaign,” she said. “That didn’t work.”