Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum firmly dismissed any notion of U.S. military intervention in her country despite reports that Donald Trump directed the Pentagon to take action against drug cartels, emphasizing Mexico's sovereignty and collaborative efforts with the U.S. on border security.
Mexico Vows Strong Opposition to Trump's Military Plans Against Cartels
Mexico Vows Strong Opposition to Trump's Military Plans Against Cartels
Mexico's President confidently rebuts reports of U.S. military intervention targeting drug cartels.
Mexico has categorically rejected the possibility of U.S. military intervention to combat drug cartels, following reports of a directive from former President Donald Trump to empower military operations against these organizations. On Friday, President Claudia Sheinbaum stated, "The United States is not going to come to Mexico with the military," adding that an invasion is "absolutely ruled out."
According to a report from The New York Times, Trump had signed a directive authorizing potential military involvement overseas in the fight against drug trafficking. In response, President Sheinbaum clarified that her government had been informed about this directive and insisted that it did not entail any deployment of military personnel in Mexico. "It is not part of any agreement, far from it. When it has been brought up, we have always said 'No,'" she affirmed.
Earlier in the year, Trump designated several Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations—six from Mexico among eight total—and expressed that this designation could lead to more direct action through intelligence agencies. Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted the need to treat cartels as armed terrorist organizations instead of mere drug-dealers.
Although tensions arise over the military plans, recent months have shown progress in U.S.-Mexico collaboration, particularly in curbing illegal migration and drug trafficking across the U.S.-Mexico border. U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson noted a significant decrease in fentanyl seizures and emphasized the successes stemming from Sheinbaum’s administration.
While the Trump administration and its officials continue to push for a hardline approach to cartels, Sheinbaum's administration remains focused on maintaining sovereignty and working cooperatively in efforts to enhance border security against drug trafficking.
According to a report from The New York Times, Trump had signed a directive authorizing potential military involvement overseas in the fight against drug trafficking. In response, President Sheinbaum clarified that her government had been informed about this directive and insisted that it did not entail any deployment of military personnel in Mexico. "It is not part of any agreement, far from it. When it has been brought up, we have always said 'No,'" she affirmed.
Earlier in the year, Trump designated several Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations—six from Mexico among eight total—and expressed that this designation could lead to more direct action through intelligence agencies. Secretary of State Marco Rubio highlighted the need to treat cartels as armed terrorist organizations instead of mere drug-dealers.
Although tensions arise over the military plans, recent months have shown progress in U.S.-Mexico collaboration, particularly in curbing illegal migration and drug trafficking across the U.S.-Mexico border. U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson noted a significant decrease in fentanyl seizures and emphasized the successes stemming from Sheinbaum’s administration.
While the Trump administration and its officials continue to push for a hardline approach to cartels, Sheinbaum's administration remains focused on maintaining sovereignty and working cooperatively in efforts to enhance border security against drug trafficking.
