The nation's head of state Sheinbaum has categorically rejected allegations that the United States is considering to deploy troops into the country to confront powerful cartels, emphasizing that she has repeatedly declined such proposals from Donald Trump.
“This will not occur,” the President declared during her daily morning press briefing on that day. “We are opposed to any process of interference or interventionism.”
Background on the Reports
The President's comments follow a report citing current and former American authorities that the Trump administration has started planning for a mission to deploy American military personnel and intelligence officers into Mexico.
The report suggested that although the mission was not imminent and no final decision had been reached, the early stages of training had commenced along with discussions about the extent of the deployment.
Additionally, the report mentioned that US troops would operate under the authority 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 adamant that her nation had “no information” about such a planned incursion, even though she admitted that in phone calls with the US president, he had proposed to dispatch troops and additional resources to tackle organized crime.
“I have repeatedly stated thank you very much, President Trump. But absolutely not, our country is a independent, independent and sovereign country,” Sheinbaum declared.
Historical Cooperation and Current Tensions
The two nations have long collaborated in tackling drug-trafficking groups, with the US at times dispatching intelligence, military and DEA agents to support the country's initiatives to combat criminal networks.
But the incursion of American military into Mexico to directly confront the drug lords, especially without the nation's consent, would be an unprecedented step that would almost certainly damage an fragile bilateral relationship.
Latest Actions and Agreements
The US government has designated confronting criminal organizations a key element of its international strategy: in last winter, the US designated six Mexican cartels as terrorist groups.
Additionally, it has initiated a multiple strikes against suspected narco vessels, most recently striking vessels in the Pacific Ocean that resulted in the deaths of multiple suspects in late October.
While authorities saved a survivor from the attack, Sheinbaum condemned the strikes and ordered officials from her government to discuss them with the American envoy to Mexico.
On Tuesday, Sheinbaum also highlighted that Mexico had finalized a cooperation pact with the US that was negotiated over an extended period.
“We will proceed within this framework of understanding, which has defined guidelines … which respects our independence and our territorial integrity.”
The President's Stance on Anti-Narcotics Strategy
The national leader has also seemed cooler on military-focused drug combat strategies than her preceding leaders: on Monday, she ruled out any changes to the nation's safety approach despite the recent brutal killing of a local official in western Mexico.
“There are demands for militarization and war, as happened with the war on drugs,” she said. “It proved ineffective.”
