Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum Denies Claims of American Troop Deployment in the Country

The nation's President Sheinbaum has firmly rejected reports that the United States is considering to deploy troops into the country to combat dominant cartels, emphasizing that she has consistently refused such proposals from Donald Trump.

“It’s not going to happen,” Sheinbaum declared during her regular news conference on Tuesday. “We do not agree to any form of interference or external interference.”

Background on the Allegations

Sheinbaum's comments come after a report quoting present and past US officials that the Trump administration has initiated preparations for a operation to send US troops and agents into Mexico.

This information suggested that although the operation was not imminent and no final decision had been made, the early stages of preparation had commenced along with discussions about the extent of the deployment.

Additionally, the account stated that American forces would operate under the jurisdiction of the American spy agencies, and that officers from the Central Intelligence Agency would take part as well.

Mexico's Response

But Sheinbaum was insistent that her country had “lack of details” about such a proposed intervention, although she acknowledged that in phone calls with the US president, he had offered to dispatch military support and other assistance to confront criminal groups.

“I’ve always said thank you very much, President Trump. But no, our country is a free, independent and autonomous nation,” the President declared.

Historical Cooperation and Current Strains

The two nations have historically worked together in tackling cartels, with the United States at times sending CIA, armed forces and DEA operatives to support the country's efforts to fight criminal networks.

But the incursion of US troops into the territory to directly confront the drug lords, particularly without the nation's agreement, would be an unheard-of move that would almost certainly damage an fragile partnership between the two countries.

Recent Actions and Understandings

The Trump administration has made addressing drug-trafficking groups a key element of its foreign policy: in last winter, Washington designated multiple drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.

It has also initiated a multiple strikes against alleged narco vessels, most recently targeting ships in the eastern Pacific that resulted in the deaths of multiple suspects in late October.

Although Mexico rescued one of the survivors from the strike, the President criticized the actions and instructed representatives from her administration to address them with the American envoy to the nation.

On that day, Sheinbaum also noted that the country had reached a security agreement with the US that was negotiated over an extended period.

“We are going to continue working within this cooperative structure, which has very clear principles … which honors our independence and our territorial integrity.”

Sheinbaum's Stance on Security Strategy

The national leader has also appeared cooler on military-focused drug combat strategies than her preceding leaders: on Monday, she ruled out any modifications to the country’s security strategy despite the murder of a local official in western Mexico.

“There are demands for military action and war, as occurred with the anti-drug campaign,” Sheinbaum commented. “That didn’t work.”

Patrick Gibson
Patrick Gibson

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