🔗 Share this article Mexico's President Sheinbaum Denies Reports of US Troop Deployment in Mexico Mexico's head of state Claudia Sheinbaum has categorically denied allegations that the US government is considering to send military forces into the country to combat dominant drug trafficking organizations, emphasizing that she has consistently refused such offers from Donald Trump. “It’s not going to happen,” Sheinbaum declared during her regular press briefing on Tuesday. “We do not agree to any process of interventionism or external interference.” Background on the Allegations The President's remarks come after a news story citing current and former American authorities that the US government has started planning for a operation to deploy American military personnel and intelligence officers into the neighboring nation. The report suggested that although the operation was not imminent and no final decision had been reached, the early stages of training had already begun along with discussions about the scope of the operation. Additionally, the account mentioned that American forces would function under the authority of the American spy agencies, and that officers from the CIA would also participate. The Nation's Reaction But Sheinbaum was adamant that her nation had “no information” about such a proposed intervention, although she admitted that in phone calls with Trump, he had offered to dispatch military support and additional resources to tackle criminal groups. “I have repeatedly stated thank you very much, Mr. Trump. But absolutely not, our country is a independent, independent and sovereign country,” the President affirmed. Historical Cooperation and Present Tensions The two nations have historically worked together in addressing cartels, with the US at times dispatching intelligence, military and DEA operatives to assist Mexico's initiatives to fight organized crime. But the entry of US troops into Mexico to engage with the drug lords, particularly without the nation's consent, would be an unprecedented step that would likely fracture an fragile partnership between the two countries. Recent Actions and Agreements The Trump administration has made addressing criminal organizations a key element of its foreign policy: in last winter, Washington classified multiple drug cartels as terrorist groups. Additionally, it has launched a multiple strikes against suspected drug-trafficking boats, including targeting vessels in the Pacific Ocean that killed multiple suspects in late October. While authorities rescued a survivor from the attack, Sheinbaum condemned the strikes and instructed representatives from her administration to discuss them with the US ambassador to Mexico. On that day, she also highlighted 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 sovereignty and our territorial integrity.” The President's Stance on Anti-Narcotics Strategy The Mexican president has also appeared less enthusiastic on militarised drug combat strategies than her preceding leaders: on the previous day, she ruled out any modifications to the nation's security strategy despite the murder of a mayor in a Mexican state. “Some are calling for militarization and armed conflict, as happened with the war on drugs,” Sheinbaum commented. “That didn’t work.”