Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has publicly stated her rejection of U.S. military assistance offered by President Trump to combat drug trafficking and violent cartels in Mexico.
Sheinbaum confirmed the offer, which was initially reported on Friday, stating “it’s true.”
According to reports, Trump contacted Sheinbaum and inquired about how the U.S. could assist in fighting drug trafficking.
She responded to Trump that Mexico will “never accept” the presence of the U.S. military within its borders.
“No, President Trump, our territory is inalienable, sovereignty is inalienable,” Sheinbaum stated. “We can collaborate and work together, but with you in your territory and us in ours. We can share information, but we will never accept the presence of the United States Army on our territory.”
In a statement provided to Digital on Saturday, White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly emphasized the ongoing coordinated efforts with Mexico to enhance border security.
“President Trump has worked with President Sheinbaum to advance border security Mexico to the highest levels ever,” Kelly stated. “This strong cooperation and information sharing is producing significant results, including the extradition of numerous cartel leaders to the U.S. to face justice and establishing the most secure border in history.”
Since assuming office, Trump has continued the practice of using to conduct surveillance flights over Mexico in coordination with the Mexican government.
He has also officially designated drug cartels as “foreign terrorist” groups.
However, Kelly emphasized that Mexico must increase its efforts to protect Americans from dangerous foreign terrorist organizations and “the drugs and violence they flood into communities on both sides of the border.”
“We will continue exploring ways to enhance our efforts across the region to dismantle these transnational criminal organizations,” she wrote. “We will make America safe again.”
The Heritage Foundation, a prominent conservative think tank, issued a report in January outlining potential ways for Trump to utilize the military to address the border crisis.
The report argued that Mexican cartels are expanding, illegal immigration and narcotics smuggling are increasing, and security cooperation between the U.S. and Mexico has declined.
However, the report suggested that direct military action against cartels should be a “last resort,” preferring joint military operations with Mexican coordination, Digital
“In the appropriate context, unilateral action may be employed to disrupt cartel activity and prompt cooperation from a resistant Mexican government,” the group stated.
The foundation suggested that Mexico’s stance was unlikely to change following Sheinbaum’s election, despite the growing threat from cartels.
Digital’s Adam Shaw and