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Mexico's President Sheinbaum has categorically denied allegations that the United States is considering to send troops into Mexico to combat powerful drug trafficking organizations, emphasizing that she has repeatedly declined such proposals from President Trump.

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

Context on the Allegations

Sheinbaum's comments follow a news story citing present and past US officials that the US government has started planning for a mission to deploy American military personnel and intelligence officers into the neighboring nation.

The report indicated that although the operation was not immediate and a conclusive choice had been made, the initial phases of preparation had commenced along with talks about the scope of the operation.

Additionally, the account mentioned that American forces would function under the jurisdiction of the American spy agencies, and that officers from the CIA would also participate.

The Nation's Response

But the Mexican leader was adamant that her country had “no information” about such a planned incursion, although she admitted that in conversations with Trump, he had proposed to send troops and other assistance to confront criminal groups.

“I have repeatedly stated thank you very much, President Trump. But absolutely not, Mexico is a free, independent and sovereign country,” Sheinbaum affirmed.

Past Cooperation and Current Strains

The two nations have historically worked together in addressing drug-trafficking groups, with the US at times dispatching CIA, military and DEA operatives to support Mexico's efforts to fight criminal networks.

But the incursion of American military into the territory to engage with the drug lords, particularly without the nation's consent, would be an unprecedented move that would almost certainly fracture an already tenuous bilateral relationship.

Latest Measures and Understandings

The US government has designated confronting drug-trafficking groups a central pillar of its foreign policy: in last winter, the US designated six Mexican cartels as terrorist groups.

Additionally, it has initiated a series of attacks against alleged drug-trafficking boats, most recently striking ships in the eastern Pacific that killed 14 alleged traffickers in recent weeks.

Although authorities saved one of the survivors from the attack, the President condemned the strikes and instructed officials from her government to discuss them with the American envoy to Mexico.

On that day, she also noted that the country had finalized 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 territorial integrity.”

Sheinbaum's Position on Anti-Narcotics Approach

The national leader has also appeared less enthusiastic on military-focused drug combat strategies than her predecessors: on Monday, she dismissed any changes to the country’s security strategy despite the recent brutal killing of a local official in a Mexican state.

“Some are calling for militarization and war, as happened with the anti-drug campaign,” she said. “That didn’t work.”