Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum Denies Claims of US Troop Deployment in Mexico

The nation's head of state Claudia Sheinbaum has categorically denied reports that the United States is considering to send troops into Mexico to combat dominant drug trafficking organizations, emphasizing that she has consistently declined such proposals from Donald Trump.

“This will not occur,” Sheinbaum declared during her regular press briefing on Tuesday. “We are opposed to any form of interference or external interference.”

Background on the Reports

Sheinbaum's remarks follow a news story citing present and past American authorities that the US government has started planning for a mission to deploy American military personnel and intelligence officers into the neighboring nation.

The report indicated that although the operation was not imminent and a conclusive choice had been reached, the initial phases of preparation had already begun along with discussions about the extent of the operation.

Additionally, the report mentioned that US troops would operate under the jurisdiction of the US intelligence community, and that officers from the CIA would also participate.

The Nation's Reaction

But the Mexican leader was adamant that her nation had “no information” about such a proposed intervention, although she admitted that in phone calls with the US president, he had offered to dispatch troops and additional resources to confront organized crime.

“I have repeatedly stated my gratitude, Mr. Trump. But no, Mexico is a independent, sovereign and sovereign nation,” Sheinbaum affirmed.

Historical Cooperation and Present Strains

Mexico and the US have long collaborated in tackling cartels, with the US at times dispatching CIA, armed forces and Drug Enforcement Administration agents to assist the country's initiatives to combat organized crime.

But the entry of American military into Mexico to engage with the cartels, especially without Mexico's agreement, would be an unheard-of step that would almost certainly fracture an already tenuous bilateral relationship.

Latest Actions and Agreements

The Trump administration has designated confronting criminal organizations a key element of its foreign policy: in February, Washington designated six Mexican cartels as terrorist groups.

It has also initiated a multiple strikes against alleged drug-trafficking boats, most recently striking vessels in the Pacific Ocean that resulted in the deaths of 14 alleged traffickers in recent weeks.

Although authorities saved one of the survivors from the strike, Sheinbaum condemned the actions and instructed representatives from her administration to address them with the US ambassador to the nation.

On that day, she also highlighted that Mexico had reached a cooperation pact with the United States that was negotiated over an extended period.

“We are going to continue working within this framework of understanding, which has very clear principles … which honors our sovereignty and our territorial integrity.”

Sheinbaum's Position on Security Approach

The Mexican president has also seemed cooler on military-focused anti-narcotics tactics than her predecessors: on the previous day, she dismissed any changes to the nation's safety approach despite the recent brutal killing of a local official in a Mexican state.

“There are demands for military action and war, as happened with the war on drugs,” Sheinbaum said. “That didn’t work.”