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Mexico's President Sheinbaum has categorically denied reports that the United States is planning to send troops into the country to combat powerful cartels, stating that she has repeatedly refused such proposals from President Trump.

“This will not occur,” Sheinbaum declared during her daily morning press briefing on that day. “We are opposed to any form of interference or external interference.”

Background on the Reports

Sheinbaum's comments follow a report quoting current and former American authorities that the US government has started planning for a operation to send US troops and agents into the neighboring nation.

This information indicated that although the operation was not immediate and no final decision had been reached, the initial phases of training had commenced along with discussions about the scope of the operation.

Furthermore, the report stated that US troops would function under the jurisdiction of the US intelligence community, and that personnel from the CIA would take part as well.

Mexico's Response

But the Mexican leader was adamant that her nation had “lack of details” about such a proposed intervention, even though she acknowledged that in conversations with Trump, he had proposed to send troops and additional resources to tackle organized crime.

“I’ve always said thank you very much, President Trump. But absolutely not, Mexico is a independent, sovereign and autonomous nation,” Sheinbaum affirmed.

Historical Cooperation and Present Strains

The two nations have long collaborated in tackling drug-trafficking groups, with the US at times sending CIA, armed forces and Drug Enforcement Administration agents to assist the country's efforts to combat criminal networks.

But the entry of US troops into Mexico to directly confront the drug lords, particularly without Mexico's consent, would be an unheard-of move that would almost certainly fracture an already tenuous bilateral relationship.

Recent Actions and Agreements

The US government has made addressing drug-trafficking groups a central pillar of its international strategy: in last winter, Washington classified multiple drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.

Additionally, it has launched a series of attacks against alleged narco vessels, most recently striking ships in the Pacific Ocean that resulted in the deaths of multiple suspects in late October.

Although Mexico rescued one of the survivors from the attack, Sheinbaum condemned the strikes and instructed representatives from her administration to discuss them with the American envoy to the nation.

On Tuesday, she also noted that Mexico had reached a security agreement with the US that was negotiated over several months.

“We are going to continue working within this framework of understanding, which has defined guidelines … which honors our sovereignty and our territoriality.”

The President's Stance on Anti-Narcotics Approach

The national leader has also seemed cooler on militarised drug combat strategies than her preceding leaders: on Monday, she ruled out any modifications to the nation's safety approach despite the murder of a local official in a Mexican state.

“There are demands for military action and armed conflict, as occurred with the war on drugs,” Sheinbaum said. “That didn’t work.”