Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Denies Reports of US Troop Deployment in the Country
Mexico's President Sheinbaum has firmly rejected reports that the United States is considering to send military forces into Mexico to combat dominant drug trafficking organizations, stating that she has consistently refused such offers from President Trump.
“It’s not going to happen,” the President declared during her daily morning press briefing on that day. “We do not agree to any form of interventionism or interventionism.”
Background on the Allegations
Sheinbaum's comments follow a news story quoting present and past American authorities that the US government has initiated preparations for a mission to deploy American military personnel and agents into the neighboring nation.
The report suggested that although the mission was not imminent and a conclusive choice had been reached, the initial phases of training had commenced along with talks about the extent of the deployment.
Furthermore, the account mentioned that US troops would function under the authority of the US intelligence community, and that personnel from the CIA would also participate.
Mexico's Response
But Sheinbaum was adamant that her nation had “no information” about such a proposed incursion, even though she admitted that in phone calls with Trump, he had proposed to send military support and other assistance to tackle organized crime.
“I’ve always said my gratitude, Mr. Trump. But no, Mexico is a free, independent and sovereign nation,” the President affirmed.
Historical Cooperation and Present Tensions
Mexico and the US have long collaborated in tackling cartels, with the United States at times sending CIA, military and Drug Enforcement Administration agents to support Mexico's efforts to fight criminal networks.
But the entry of US troops into Mexico to directly confront the drug lords, especially without the nation's agreement, would be an unheard-of step that would likely fracture an already tenuous partnership between the two countries.
Latest Measures and Understandings
The US government has designated addressing drug-trafficking groups a central pillar of its international strategy: in February, the US designated six Mexican cartels as terrorist groups.
It has also initiated a multiple strikes against suspected drug-trafficking boats, most recently striking vessels in the eastern Pacific that resulted in the deaths of 14 alleged traffickers in recent weeks.
Although Mexico saved one of the survivors from the strike, Sheinbaum criticized the strikes and ordered officials from her administration to address them with the American envoy to the nation.
On Tuesday, Sheinbaum also noted that the country had reached a security agreement with the US that was negotiated over an extended period.
“We will proceed within this cooperative structure, which has defined guidelines … which respects our independence and our territoriality.”
Sheinbaum's Stance on Security Approach
The national leader has also appeared cooler on military-focused drug combat strategies than her predecessors: on Monday, she dismissed any modifications to the country’s safety approach despite the recent brutal killing of a mayor in a Mexican state.
“There are demands for military action and armed conflict, as happened with the war on drugs,” Sheinbaum commented. “It proved ineffective.”