Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Denies Reports of American Troop Deployment in the Country

Mexico's head of state Sheinbaum has firmly denied reports that the US government is considering to send troops into the country to confront powerful drug trafficking organizations, emphasizing that she has repeatedly refused such proposals from Donald Trump.

“This will not occur,” Sheinbaum declared during her regular press briefing on that day. “We do not agree to any process of interference or external interference.”

Background on the Reports

The President's remarks follow a report quoting current and former US officials that the Trump administration has initiated preparations for a operation to send American military personnel and intelligence officers into the neighboring nation.

This information indicated that although the operation was not immediate and no final decision had been made, the initial phases of training had already begun along with discussions about the scope of the deployment.

Furthermore, the account stated that US troops would function under the authority of the US intelligence community, and that officers from the CIA would take part as well.

The Nation's Response

But Sheinbaum was adamant that her nation had “no information” about such a proposed incursion, although she acknowledged that in conversations with the US president, he had offered to dispatch military support and additional resources to confront organized crime.

“I’ve always said thank you very much, President Trump. But absolutely not, Mexico is a independent, sovereign and autonomous nation,” the President declared.

Past Collaboration and Present Tensions

The two nations have long collaborated in addressing cartels, with the US at times dispatching CIA, military and Drug Enforcement Administration operatives to support Mexico's initiatives to fight organized crime.

But the entry of American military into the territory to engage with the drug lords, especially without the nation's consent, would be an unprecedented step that would almost certainly damage an fragile partnership between the two countries.

Recent Measures and Agreements

The Trump administration has made confronting drug-trafficking groups a key element of its international strategy: in last winter, Washington designated six Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.

It has also launched a multiple strikes against suspected narco vessels, most recently striking vessels in the Pacific Ocean that killed multiple suspects in recent weeks.

Although authorities rescued one of the survivors from the strike, Sheinbaum condemned the strikes and ordered representatives from her administration to discuss them with the US ambassador to the nation.

On that day, Sheinbaum also highlighted that the country had reached a security agreement with the United States that was discussed over an extended period.

“We will proceed within this framework of understanding, which has very clear principles … which honors our independence and our territorial integrity.”

Sheinbaum's Position on Anti-Narcotics Strategy

The Mexican president has also seemed less enthusiastic on military-focused drug combat strategies than her preceding leaders: on the previous day, she dismissed any modifications to the nation's safety approach despite the recent brutal killing of a local official in western Mexico.

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