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Mexico's head of state Sheinbaum has firmly rejected allegations that the US government is planning to send military forces into the country to combat powerful drug trafficking organizations, emphasizing that she has repeatedly refused such offers from Donald Trump.

“This will not occur,” Sheinbaum stated during her regular press briefing on Tuesday. “We do not agree to any form of interventionism or external interference.”

Context on the Reports

Sheinbaum's comments follow a report citing present and past US officials that the US government has started planning for a operation to send US troops and agents into the neighboring nation.

The report indicated that although the operation was not immediate and a conclusive choice had been reached, the early stages of training had already begun along with discussions about the extent of the deployment.

Furthermore, the account stated that US troops would operate under the jurisdiction of the American spy agencies, and that officers from the Central Intelligence Agency would take part as well.

Mexico's Response

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

“I have repeatedly stated thank you very much, President Trump. But no, our country is a independent, sovereign and autonomous country,” Sheinbaum affirmed.

Historical Cooperation and Present Tensions

The two nations have long collaborated in addressing cartels, with the US at times dispatching intelligence, military and DEA agents to assist Mexico's efforts to fight organized crime.

But the entry of US troops into the territory to directly confront the drug lords, particularly without Mexico's consent, would be an unheard-of move that would likely fracture an already tenuous partnership between the two countries.

Recent Measures and Understandings

The US government has designated addressing criminal organizations a central pillar of its foreign policy: in February, the US designated six Mexican cartels as terrorist groups.

Additionally, it has initiated a series of attacks against suspected narco vessels, most recently striking vessels in the Pacific Ocean that killed multiple suspects in late October.

Although authorities saved a survivor from the attack, the President condemned the actions and instructed officials from her administration to discuss them with the American envoy to the nation.

On Tuesday, Sheinbaum also noted that the country had reached a cooperation pact with the US that was discussed over several months.

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

The President's Position on Anti-Narcotics Strategy

The Mexican president has also appeared less enthusiastic on militarised drug combat strategies than her preceding leaders: on Monday, she ruled out any changes to the country’s safety approach despite the recent brutal killing of a local official in a Mexican state.

“Some are calling for militarization and armed conflict, as occurred with the war on drugs,” Sheinbaum commented. “That didn’t work.”