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Mexico's head of state Sheinbaum has categorically rejected allegations that the US government is considering to deploy military forces into Mexico to confront powerful cartels, stating that she has repeatedly refused such proposals from President Trump.

“It’s not going to happen,” Sheinbaum declared during her daily morning news conference on that day. “We do not agree to any process of interference or external interference.”

Background on the Reports

Sheinbaum's remarks follow a report citing present and past US officials that the US government has initiated preparations for a operation to deploy US troops and intelligence officers into Mexico.

The report indicated that although the operation was not imminent and no final decision had been made, the initial phases of preparation had already begun along with discussions about the extent of the deployment.

Additionally, the account mentioned that US troops would function under the authority of the American spy agencies, and that officers from the CIA would take part as well.

The Nation's Response

But the Mexican leader was insistent that her country had “lack of details” about such a proposed incursion, even though she acknowledged that in conversations with the US president, he had proposed to dispatch troops and additional resources to confront organized crime.

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

Past Collaboration and Current Strains

Mexico and the US have long collaborated in addressing cartels, with the US at times dispatching CIA, armed forces and Drug Enforcement Administration operatives to support the country's initiatives to combat criminal networks.

But the entry of US troops into the territory to directly confront the cartels, particularly without Mexico's agreement, would be an unprecedented step that would likely 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 terrorist groups.

It has also launched a series of attacks against suspected narco vessels, most recently striking ships in the Pacific Ocean that resulted in the deaths of multiple suspects in recent weeks.

Although Mexico rescued one of the survivors from the strike, the President criticized the strikes and ordered officials from her administration to discuss them with the American envoy to the nation.

On that day, Sheinbaum also noted that Mexico had reached a security agreement with the United States that was discussed over several months.

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

The President's Position on Anti-Narcotics Approach

The Mexican president has also seemed cooler on militarised anti-narcotics tactics than her preceding leaders: on Monday, she ruled out any modifications to the country’s security strategy despite the murder of a mayor in western Mexico.

“There are demands for militarization and war, as occurred with the war on drugs,” she said. “That didn’t work.”