Mexico's Leader Sheinbaum Denies Reports of US Troop Deployment in the Country
The nation's President Claudia Sheinbaum has categorically rejected allegations that the United States is planning to deploy troops into the country to combat dominant cartels, stating that she has consistently refused such offers from President Trump.
“This will not occur,” the President declared during her regular news conference on Tuesday. “We do not agree to any form of interventionism or external interference.”
Background on the Allegations
Sheinbaum's remarks follow a report citing current and former US officials that the US government has initiated preparations for a mission to deploy US troops and intelligence officers into the neighboring nation.
The report suggested that although the mission was not immediate and no final decision had been reached, the early stages of preparation had already begun along with discussions about the scope of the operation.
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 Reaction
But the Mexican leader was adamant that her nation had “no information” about such a planned intervention, even though she admitted that in conversations with the US president, he had offered to dispatch troops and other assistance to confront organized crime.
“I have repeatedly stated my gratitude, Mr. Trump. But no, our country is a independent, independent and sovereign country,” Sheinbaum declared.
Past Cooperation and Present Strains
The two nations have long collaborated in tackling drug-trafficking groups, with the US at times sending CIA, military and Drug Enforcement Administration operatives to assist the country's initiatives to fight criminal networks.
But the entry of American military into Mexico to engage with the cartels, especially without Mexico's agreement, would be an unprecedented step that would likely damage an already tenuous partnership between the two countries.
Recent Actions and Agreements
The Trump administration has designated addressing drug-trafficking groups a key element of its international strategy: in last winter, the US classified multiple drug cartels as terrorist groups.
Additionally, it has launched a series of attacks against suspected drug-trafficking boats, including targeting ships in the eastern Pacific that killed 14 alleged traffickers in recent weeks.
Although Mexico saved a survivor from the strike, the President criticized the strikes and ordered representatives from her administration to address them with the US ambassador to Mexico.
On that day, Sheinbaum also highlighted that the country had finalized a cooperation pact with the US that was negotiated over several months.
“We will proceed within this cooperative structure, which has very clear principles … which respects our independence and our territorial integrity.”
The President's Stance on Anti-Narcotics Approach
The Mexican president has also seemed cooler on militarised anti-narcotics tactics than her predecessors: on Monday, she ruled out any modifications to the nation's security strategy despite the recent brutal killing of a local official in western Mexico.
“There are demands for military action and war, as occurred with the anti-drug campaign,” she commented. “It proved ineffective.”