Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum has firmly rejected reports that the United States is planning to send troops into Mexico to combat drug cartels, stating she has repeatedly turned down such offers from former US President Donald Trump.
“It’s not going to happen,” Sheinbaum said during her daily press conference on Tuesday. “We do not agree with any process of interference or interventionism.” Her comments follow an NBC News report citing officials that the Trump administration had begun planning a mission involving US troops and intelligence officers in Mexico.
Sheinbaum insisted Mexico had “no information” about such plans, though she acknowledged Trump had offered military support in phone calls. “I’ve always said thank you very much, President Trump. But no, Mexico is a free, independent and sovereign country,” she added.
The report indicated that while no final decision had been made, training had begun and CIA officers might participate. Any unilateral US incursion would be unprecedented and risk damaging bilateral ties. The Trump administration has designated six Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations and conducted strikes on drug-trafficking vessels.
Sheinbaum condemned recent US strikes that killed 14 alleged traffickers and ordered discussions with the US ambassador. She also highlighted a security agreement with the US negotiated over months, stating, “We are going to continue working within this framework of understanding, which respects our sovereignty.”
The Mexican president has adopted a less militaristic stance than predecessors, ruling out changes to security strategy despite recent violence. “Some are calling for militarization and war, as happened with the war on drugs,” she said. “That didn’t work.”
