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Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum has firmly rejected allegations that the US government is considering to deploy military forces into the country to combat dominant cartels, emphasizing that she has repeatedly refused such offers from President Trump.

“It’s not going to happen,” Sheinbaum stated during her regular press briefing on Tuesday. “We are opposed to any form of interference or external interference.”

Context on the Allegations

The President's comments come after a report quoting present and past US officials that the US government has initiated preparations for a operation to deploy US troops and agents into Mexico.

The report suggested that although the mission was not imminent and no final decision had been made, the early stages of training had commenced along with discussions about the scope of the operation.

Additionally, the account stated that US troops would function under the jurisdiction of the US intelligence community, and that personnel from the CIA would also participate.

Mexico's Reaction

But Sheinbaum was adamant that her nation had “lack of details” about such a planned incursion, although she acknowledged that in phone calls with Trump, he had proposed to dispatch military support and other assistance to confront criminal groups.

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

Historical Cooperation and Present Tensions

Mexico and the US have historically worked together in addressing cartels, with the US at times sending CIA, armed forces and DEA operatives to support the country's initiatives to combat organized crime.

But the incursion of American military into the territory to directly confront the drug lords, particularly without Mexico's consent, would be an unheard-of move that would almost certainly fracture an already tenuous partnership between the two countries.

Recent Actions and Understandings

The Trump administration has designated addressing drug-trafficking groups a key element of its foreign policy: in last winter, the US classified six Mexican cartels as terrorist groups.

Additionally, it has launched a series of attacks against suspected drug-trafficking boats, most recently targeting vessels in the eastern Pacific that resulted in the deaths of 14 alleged traffickers in late October.

While Mexico saved a survivor from the strike, the President criticized the actions and ordered representatives from her administration to discuss them with the US ambassador to Mexico.

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

“We are going to continue working 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 appeared cooler on military-focused anti-narcotics tactics than her preceding leaders: on the previous day, she ruled out any changes to the nation's safety approach despite the recent brutal killing of a mayor in western Mexico.

“Some are calling for military action and armed conflict, as happened with the war on drugs,” she commented. “It proved ineffective.”