Mexico's Leader Sheinbaum Denies Reports of US Troop Deployment in Mexico
Mexico's President Sheinbaum has categorically rejected allegations that the US government is planning to send troops into Mexico to confront dominant cartels, emphasizing that she has consistently declined such offers from President Trump.
“It’s not going to happen,” the President stated during her regular news conference on that day. “We are opposed to any form of interventionism or external interference.”
Context on the Allegations
The President's remarks follow a report citing current and former American authorities that the US government has initiated preparations for a operation to send American military personnel and agents into Mexico.
This information indicated that although the operation was not imminent and a conclusive choice had been made, the early stages of training had commenced along with discussions about the extent of the deployment.
Additionally, the account stated that US troops would operate under the jurisdiction of the US intelligence community, and that officers 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 planned incursion, although she admitted that in conversations with the US president, he had offered to send military support and additional resources to tackle criminal groups.
“I have repeatedly stated thank you very much, Mr. Trump. But absolutely not, Mexico is a free, sovereign and autonomous country,” the President affirmed.
Historical 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 Drug Enforcement Administration operatives to assist the country's initiatives to combat organized crime.
But the incursion of American military into the territory to directly confront the drug lords, especially without the nation's consent, would be an unheard-of step that would almost certainly fracture an fragile bilateral relationship.
Recent Actions and Agreements
The US government has made confronting criminal organizations a central pillar of its foreign policy: in February, Washington designated multiple drug cartels as terrorist groups.
Additionally, it has initiated a series of attacks against suspected narco vessels, including targeting vessels in the Pacific Ocean that killed 14 alleged traffickers in recent weeks.
Although authorities rescued a survivor from the attack, the President condemned the strikes and instructed officials from her administration to discuss them with the US ambassador to the nation.
On Tuesday, Sheinbaum also noted that the country had reached a cooperation pact with the United States that was discussed over several months.
“We will proceed within this cooperative structure, which has defined guidelines … which honors our sovereignty and our territorial integrity.”
Sheinbaum's Position on Security Strategy
The national leader has also appeared cooler on militarised anti-narcotics tactics than her predecessors: on the previous day, she dismissed any changes to the nation's security strategy despite the murder of a local official in western Mexico.
“There are demands for military action and armed conflict, as occurred with the war on drugs,” Sheinbaum said. “It proved ineffective.”