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The nation's President Claudia Sheinbaum has categorically rejected allegations that the United States is considering to send troops into Mexico to confront dominant cartels, stating that she has repeatedly refused such proposals from Donald Trump.

“It’s not going to happen,” Sheinbaum stated during her daily morning news conference on Tuesday. “We are opposed to any process of interventionism or external interference.”

Background on the Reports

The President's comments follow a report quoting current and former American authorities that the US government has started planning for a operation to deploy American military personnel and agents into Mexico.

This information indicated that although the operation was not immediate and no final decision had been made, the early stages of preparation had already begun along with talks about the extent of the deployment.

Additionally, the report mentioned that US troops would operate under the authority of the US intelligence community, and that personnel from the CIA would take part as well.

The Nation's Response

But Sheinbaum was adamant that her nation had “no information” about such a planned intervention, although she acknowledged that in phone calls with the US president, he had offered to send troops and additional resources to confront organized crime.

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

Historical Collaboration and Present Strains

Mexico and the US have long collaborated in tackling cartels, with the US at times sending CIA, armed forces and Drug Enforcement Administration operatives to assist Mexico's efforts to fight organized crime.

But the entry of American military into Mexico to directly confront the drug lords, especially without Mexico's consent, would be an unheard-of step that would likely damage an already tenuous bilateral relationship.

Latest Actions and Agreements

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

It has also launched a multiple strikes against alleged narco vessels, most recently targeting vessels in the eastern Pacific that resulted in the deaths of multiple suspects in recent weeks.

While authorities saved one of the survivors from the attack, the President criticized the actions and ordered representatives from her administration to discuss them with the American envoy to Mexico.

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

“We will proceed within this framework of understanding, which has defined guidelines … which honors our sovereignty and our territoriality.”

The President's Position on Anti-Narcotics Approach

The national leader has also appeared cooler on militarised anti-narcotics tactics than her predecessors: on the previous day, she dismissed any changes to the nation's safety approach despite the murder of a local official in a Mexican state.

“Some are calling for military action and armed conflict, as happened with the war on drugs,” Sheinbaum said. “That didn’t work.”