Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has firmly ruled out the possibility of US military intervention on Mexican soil, declaring that the country’s sovereignty and independence are “not at risk.”
Her remarks on Monday follow reports that US President Donald Trump had signed a classified directive ordering the US military to target Latin American drug cartels, including those operating across the US-Mexico border.
“We will never put our sovereignty at risk, we will never put Mexico’s independence at risk. Mexico is a free, sovereign, independent country,” Sheinbaum said.
The issue of potential US military action against Mexican cartels has intensified tensions in bilateral relations, particularly after Trump designated eight of these groups as terrorist organisations early in his term.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently argued that the cartels possess weaponry comparable to that of terrorist groups and some armies, suggesting the need for broader use of American military and intelligence capabilities.
While trade relations between the two nations remain strong under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), disputes over security, migration, and cartel violence have escalated. Trump has openly criticised Sheinbaum, claiming she is “afraid of the cartels.”
Earlier this year, Sheinbaum rejected Trump’s proposal for US military assistance against the cartels. Her defiance has resonated domestically, pushing her approval ratings above 70%. Analysts note, however, that her rejection focuses on boots-on-the-ground intervention, while concerns remain over possible US drone strikes.
“We collaborate, we co-ordinate on security matters, but we never subordinate ourselves. We will never, ever allow the US army or any other US institution to set foot in Mexican territory,” Sheinbaum stressed.
Mexico and the United States share a complex history, including the 19th-century war in which the US seized roughly half of Mexico’s territory. While Sheinbaum has intensified security cooperation and taken a tougher stance on cartels compared to her predecessor Andrés Manuel López Obrador, she now faces growing pressure to investigate potential links between the cartels and members of her own political party.
