Mexico's Leader Claudia Sheinbaum Rejects Reports of American Troop Deployment in the Country
The nation's President Sheinbaum has firmly rejected reports that the US government is considering to deploy military forces into the country to confront powerful drug trafficking organizations, stating that she has repeatedly declined such offers from Donald Trump.
“This will not occur,” the President declared during her daily morning news conference on Tuesday. “We are opposed to any process of interventionism or external interference.”
Background on the Allegations
The President's comments follow a report citing current and former American authorities that the US government has started planning for a operation to send American military personnel and intelligence officers into the neighboring nation.
The report suggested that although the operation was not immediate and no final decision had been made, the early stages of preparation had already begun along with discussions about the extent of the deployment.
Furthermore, the account mentioned that American forces would function under the jurisdiction of the US intelligence community, and that personnel from the Central Intelligence Agency would take part as well.
Mexico's Reaction
But the Mexican leader was insistent that her country had “no information” about such a planned incursion, although she admitted that in conversations with Trump, he had proposed to send military support and additional resources to confront criminal groups.
“I’ve always said thank you very much, Mr. Trump. But absolutely not, Mexico is a independent, sovereign and sovereign country,” the President declared.
Historical Cooperation and Present Strains
The two nations have historically worked together in addressing cartels, with the United States at times dispatching intelligence, military and DEA agents to assist Mexico's efforts to combat organized crime.
But the incursion of US troops into the territory to engage with the cartels, particularly without the nation's consent, would be an unprecedented step that would likely damage an fragile partnership between the two countries.
Recent Actions and Agreements
The US government has made addressing drug-trafficking groups a key element of its foreign policy: in February, the US designated multiple drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.
Additionally, it has launched a multiple strikes against suspected narco vessels, including striking vessels in the eastern Pacific that killed multiple suspects in late October.
While authorities saved one of the survivors from the attack, the President criticized the strikes and ordered officials from her administration to address them with the American envoy to the nation.
On that day, she also highlighted that Mexico had finalized a security agreement with the US that was negotiated over an extended period.
“We will proceed within this framework of understanding, which has very clear principles … which honors our independence and our territoriality.”
Sheinbaum's Position on Anti-Narcotics Approach
The Mexican president has also appeared cooler on military-focused anti-narcotics tactics than her predecessors: on the previous day, she dismissed any modifications to the country’s safety approach despite the recent brutal killing of a mayor in western Mexico.
“Some are calling for military action and armed conflict, as happened with the anti-drug campaign,” she commented. “That didn’t work.”