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Mexico's head of state Sheinbaum has firmly rejected allegations that the United States is planning to send troops into the country to confront powerful drug trafficking organizations, emphasizing that she has consistently refused such offers from Donald Trump.

“It’s not going to happen,” the President declared during her daily morning news conference on Tuesday. “We are opposed to any form of interventionism or external interference.”

Context on the Reports

Sheinbaum's remarks follow a news story quoting present and past US officials that the US government has initiated preparations for a operation to deploy American military personnel and intelligence officers into the neighboring nation.

The report indicated that although the operation was not imminent and a conclusive choice had been reached, the early stages of training had commenced along with talks about the extent of the operation.

Additionally, the report stated that American forces would operate under the jurisdiction of the American spy agencies, and that personnel from the Central Intelligence Agency would also participate.

Mexico's Reaction

But Sheinbaum was insistent that her country had “no information” about such a proposed intervention, even though she acknowledged that in phone calls with the US president, he had offered to send troops and additional resources to tackle criminal groups.

“I’ve always said thank you very much, President Trump. But absolutely not, our country is a free, independent and autonomous nation,” the President affirmed.

Historical Collaboration and Present Strains

Mexico and the US have historically worked together in addressing cartels, with the US at times dispatching CIA, military and DEA operatives to support Mexico's initiatives to combat criminal networks.

But the incursion of American military into the territory to directly confront the cartels, particularly without the nation's consent, would be an unheard-of step that would almost certainly fracture an fragile bilateral relationship.

Recent Actions and Understandings

The US government has designated addressing criminal organizations a key element of its foreign policy: in February, the US classified multiple drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.

Additionally, it has launched a series of attacks against suspected drug-trafficking boats, most recently targeting vessels in the Pacific Ocean that killed multiple suspects in recent weeks.

Although authorities rescued a survivor from the attack, the President criticized the actions and instructed officials from her administration to address them with the American envoy to the nation.

On Tuesday, she also highlighted that Mexico had finalized a security agreement with the United States that was negotiated over several months.

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

Sheinbaum's Stance on Security Strategy

The Mexican president has also appeared cooler on military-focused anti-narcotics tactics than her preceding leaders: on the previous day, she ruled out 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 occurred with the anti-drug campaign,” she commented. “That didn’t work.”