Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has rejected President Trump’s proposal of U.S. interference as cartel attacks stay strong in Mexico. Trump said he would do “whatever we have to do to stop drugs,” including U.S. military strikes against cartels in Mexico. The United States Embassy later posted on X that the intervention would only happen if approved by Mexico.
Sheinbaum responded by saying, “We are not going to ask for it because we do not want intervention from any foreign government.”
Sheinbaum told both Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio that the forceful entry of U.S. troops into Mexico will not be condoned. Sheinbaum said, “he has suggested it on various occasions… but I have told him on every occasion that we can collaborate, that they can help us with information they have, but that we operate in our territory, that we do not accept any intervention by a foreign government.” According to her, the message was understood by both parties.
While Sheinbaum represents the majority of Mexico, support for the collaboration of the two countries against cartels is growing.
However, Trump says the intervention is necessary in order to stop narcotics from entering the U.S. His purpose is supported by the 21 alleged drug-trafficking boats that have been destroyed by the U.S. military, beginning in September.
Potential conflict was stirred when movement occurred in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico. Signs were put up at Playa Bagdad saying the land was restricted by the U.S. Department of Defense. The Foreign Affairs Ministry of Mexico responded by removing all signs because they were posted on Mexican soil. The ministry said in a statement, “the origin of the signs and their placement on national territory were unclear.”
The signage did not cause major conflict, but could set the stage for tension-filled discussions between the two nations.