Mexico Rejects U.S. Military Presence Amid Drug War Escalation
The Government of Mexico categorically rejected the potential deployment of United States military forces on its territory, following U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion. This proposal, aimed at combating drug cartels to “protect” the U.S., would represent a dramatic escalation in the ongoing battle against fentanyl trafficking, reports 24brussels.
In a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday, Mexico emphasized its firm stance against foreign military intervention. The rejection came as the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Ronald Johnson, responded by reiterating the U.S. intention to collaborate closely with President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration to address the escalating threat posed by drug cartels.
Johnson stated, “This is not about the United States acting alone. It’s about building a joint and unbreakable front with Mexico to protect our citizens, dismantle cartel networks, and ensure that the only people who should fear for their future are those profiting from murder, addiction, and chaos.”
In conjunction with these developments, Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs asserted that cooperation between the two nations must be rooted in respect for sovereignty. The ministry maintained that each country should tackle the root causes of addiction and associated violence through internal efforts. It highlighted principles of mutual trust, shared responsibility, and respect for territorial integrity as foundational for any collaborative effort.
President Sheinbaum, during her daily press briefing, firmly asserted that U.S. troops will not “invade” Mexican soil, countering a report from the New York Times that indicated Trump was preparing to sign a secret order to empower military action against drug cartels in Latin America. Sheinbaum underscored Mexico’s National Security Strategy, which aims to foster peace through justice by addressing the underlying factors that contribute to violence and drug trafficking.
Since taking office again, Trump has intensified efforts to combat fentanyl trafficking, which he alleges is predominantly sourced from Mexican cartels utilizing Chinese precursors. In light of this, Trump designated six major cartels as terrorist organizations in February, including the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
