Sheinbaum Rejects U.S. Military Action Amid Anti-Cartel Plans

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum firmly stated that unilateral U.S. military action within Mexico “won’t happen” during a press conference on Tuesday. This declaration follows a report by NBC News that detailed plans for a new anti-cartel mission, potentially involving U.S. troops and intelligence personnel on Mexican soil.

Sheinbaum emphasized, “It won’t happen. We have no reports that it will happen… And besides, we don’t agree to it.” The NBC News report indicated that preliminary preparations for this mission had commenced, including training and discussions about its potential scope. It also suggested that U.S. troops would operate under the authority of the U.S. intelligence community, known as Title 50 status. However, the report clarified that no final decision regarding this mission had been made.

This is not the first instance of Sheinbaum rejecting the notion of unilateral U.S. military involvement in Mexico. Earlier, in April, she categorically dismissed any such action, asserting that it would not resolve ongoing issues related to drug trafficking. Sheinbaum responded to questions about another NBC News report that speculated on the potential for drone strikes against drug cartels by the Trump administration, stating, “The people of Mexico will not, under any circumstances, accept intervention, interference, or any other act from abroad.”

According to NBC News, sources including six current and former U.S. military, law enforcement, and intelligence officials indicated that the Trump administration was contemplating drone strikes in Mexico to combat criminal organizations involved in narcotics trafficking. Yet, the report acknowledged that no decisions had been finalized.

Sheinbaum reiterated that the relationship between the U.S. and Mexico is grounded in dialogue on security issues. She expressed skepticism regarding the likelihood of unilateral U.S. military measures, highlighting the importance of cooperation over intervention. “With Mexico, it is collaboration and coordination, never subordination or interventionism, and even less invasion,” she asserted during a February 20 press briefing.

In that earlier statement, Sheinbaum criticized the Trump administration’s designation of eight Latin American crime organizations, including the Sinaloa cartel and the Jalisco New Generation cartel, as “foreign terrorist organizations.” She stated, “This cannot be an opportunity for the U.S. to invade our sovereignty,” emphasizing that Mexico would not negotiate its sovereignty or accept external interference.

Sheinbaum also pointed out that her government was not consulted by the United States when it decided to include Mexican cartels in the terrorist organization designation. “There can be no interference or subordination,” she remarked. “Both countries want to reduce the consumption of drugs and the trafficking of illegal drugs.”

As the discussion surrounding U.S. military involvement in Mexico continues, Sheinbaum’s administration remains committed to asserting its sovereignty and prioritizing a collaborative approach to security, rather than one marked by unilateral actions.