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The nation's President Sheinbaum has firmly denied allegations that the US government is planning to deploy troops into Mexico to confront powerful cartels, stating that she has consistently refused such offers from Donald Trump.

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

Context on the Reports

Sheinbaum's remarks follow a news story quoting present and past US officials that the Trump administration has started planning for a mission to deploy American military personnel and agents into Mexico.

This information suggested that although the operation was not immediate and no final decision had been reached, the initial phases of preparation had commenced along with discussions about the extent of the deployment.

Furthermore, the account mentioned that US troops would operate under the jurisdiction of the US intelligence community, and that officers from the CIA would also participate.

Mexico's Reaction

But Sheinbaum was insistent that her country had “lack of details” about such a proposed incursion, even though she admitted that in phone calls with Trump, he had offered to dispatch military support and additional resources to tackle organized crime.

“I’ve always said thank you very much, President Trump. But no, Mexico is a independent, independent and autonomous country,” the President declared.

Historical Cooperation and Present Strains

Mexico and the US have historically worked together in tackling cartels, with the US at times sending CIA, military and DEA agents to support Mexico's initiatives to fight organized crime.

But the entry of US troops into Mexico to directly confront the cartels, especially without the nation's agreement, would be an unprecedented move that would almost certainly damage an already tenuous bilateral relationship.

Latest Measures and Understandings

The US government has made confronting criminal organizations a central pillar of its international strategy: in last winter, Washington designated multiple drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.

Additionally, it has launched a multiple strikes against suspected drug-trafficking boats, including targeting vessels in the Pacific Ocean that resulted in the deaths of 14 alleged traffickers in recent weeks.

Although Mexico saved one of the survivors from the strike, Sheinbaum condemned the actions and instructed representatives from her government to discuss them with the American envoy to Mexico.

On Tuesday, Sheinbaum also highlighted that the country had finalized a cooperation pact with the US that was discussed over an extended period.

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

Sheinbaum's Position on Anti-Narcotics Strategy

The national leader has also seemed less enthusiastic on militarised anti-narcotics tactics than her preceding leaders: on Monday, she ruled out any modifications to the nation's safety approach despite the recent brutal killing of a local official in a Mexican state.

“There are demands for military action and armed conflict, as happened with the war on drugs,” Sheinbaum said. “It proved ineffective.”