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The nation's head of state Claudia Sheinbaum has firmly rejected reports that the United States is considering to deploy military forces into Mexico to combat powerful drug trafficking organizations, emphasizing that she has repeatedly declined such proposals from Donald Trump.

“This will not occur,” Sheinbaum stated during her regular news conference on that day. “We are opposed to any process of interference or external interference.”

Context on the Reports

Sheinbaum's comments follow a report citing current and former American authorities that the Trump administration has started planning for a operation to send US troops and intelligence officers into Mexico.

This information indicated that although the operation was not imminent and a conclusive choice had been reached, the initial phases of training had commenced along with talks about the extent of the deployment.

Additionally, the report stated that American forces would function under the authority of the US intelligence community, and that officers from the Central Intelligence Agency would also participate.

The Nation's Reaction

But the Mexican leader was insistent that her nation had “no information” about such a proposed incursion, even though she acknowledged that in conversations with Trump, he had proposed to dispatch military support and additional resources to tackle criminal groups.

“I have repeatedly stated my gratitude, Mr. Trump. But absolutely not, Mexico is a independent, sovereign and autonomous nation,” Sheinbaum affirmed.

Past Collaboration and Present Strains

The two nations have historically worked together in tackling cartels, with the US at times dispatching CIA, armed forces and Drug Enforcement Administration operatives to assist the country's initiatives to combat organized crime.

But the incursion of American military into Mexico to engage with the drug lords, particularly without Mexico's agreement, would be an unprecedented move that would almost certainly fracture an fragile bilateral relationship.

Latest Measures and Understandings

The US government has designated confronting criminal organizations a key element of its international strategy: in February, Washington designated multiple drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.

It has also launched a series of attacks against alleged drug-trafficking boats, including striking ships in the eastern Pacific that killed multiple suspects in late October.

Although Mexico rescued one of the survivors from the attack, Sheinbaum condemned the strikes and ordered representatives from her administration to discuss them with the US ambassador to Mexico.

On that day, Sheinbaum also highlighted that Mexico had reached a security agreement with the US that was negotiated over several months.

“We will proceed within this cooperative structure, which has very clear principles … which respects our sovereignty and our territoriality.”

Sheinbaum's Stance on Security Approach

The Mexican president has also appeared cooler on military-focused drug combat strategies than her preceding leaders: on Monday, she ruled out any modifications to the country’s safety approach despite the recent brutal killing of a mayor in a Mexican state.

“There are demands for military action and armed conflict, as occurred with the war on drugs,” Sheinbaum commented. “It proved ineffective.”