Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has moved to calm national unease following two separate incidents involving United States military movements close to Mexican territory. The events have heightened sensitivity in the wake of the Trump administration's recent unilateral action in Venezuela.
Incidents That Raised Alarm
The first incident occurred on Friday, 19 January 2026, when the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an advisory urging aircraft to exercise caution over the eastern Pacific Ocean near Mexico and parts of Central and South America. The advisory cited unspecified "military activities," sparking immediate concern in Mexico City.
President Sheinbaum revealed that her administration waited several hours before receiving written assurances from the US government that there would be no military flights over Mexican airspace. She confirmed that Mexico had not been given prior warning about any operations.
Subsequently, the US provided precise coordinates of its activities, leading Mexican authorities to state that the FAA notice had no implications for Mexico.
Controversial Plane Landing in Toluca
A second flashpoint emerged when images circulated on social media showing a US military transport plane on the tarmac at Toluca airport, approximately 63 kilometres west of Mexico City. The sighting prompted questions from opposition figures, including Senator Clemente Castañeda of the Citizen Movement party.
Senator Castañeda demanded an explanation on social media platform X, noting that Mexico's senate must approve the entry of foreign troops under normal circumstances.
President Sheinbaum clarified the situation, describing it as a routine logistical operation. She stated that the plane had landed, Mexican public servants boarded, and they departed for training in the United States. She confirmed the operation was authorised by Mexico's Secretary of Defense and did not require senate approval.
Her security cabinet later posted on X, affirming such training occurs within established protocols and existing bilateral collaboration agreements.
Broader Context and Ongoing Diplomacy
These events underscore the tense atmosphere following the US attack on Venezuela earlier in January, aimed at capturing then-President Nicolás Maduro. That action, coupled with renewed US offers and threats to take direct military action against Mexican drug cartels, has put sovereignty issues at the forefront.
Sheinbaum and US President Donald Trump discussed these matters in a call last week. Both governments continue to publicly commit to collaboration on security, with Mexico emphatically rejecting any violation of its sovereignty.
In a bid to ease tensions, security officials from both nations are scheduled to meet again on Friday, 23 January 2026. A joint statement released the previous Thursday said the meeting aims to "continue delivering tangible actions to strengthen security cooperation and meaningful outcomes to counter cartels, and stop the illicit flow of fentanyl and weapons from crossing our shared border."
