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The nation's head of state Sheinbaum has categorically rejected reports that the United States is considering to deploy military forces into the country to confront dominant cartels, stating that she has repeatedly declined such offers from Donald Trump.

“This will not occur,” the President declared during her daily morning press briefing on that day. “We do not agree to any process of interference or interventionism.”

Context on the Allegations

The President's remarks come after a report quoting present and past US officials that the Trump administration has started planning for a operation to deploy American military personnel and agents into Mexico.

This information suggested that although the mission was not immediate and a conclusive choice had been made, the early stages of preparation had already begun along with talks about the scope of the operation.

Furthermore, the account mentioned that American forces would function under the jurisdiction of the American spy agencies, and that officers from the Central Intelligence Agency would also participate.

Mexico's Reaction

But Sheinbaum was adamant that her country had “lack of details” about such a proposed intervention, although she acknowledged that in conversations with the US president, he had offered to send military support and other assistance to tackle criminal groups.

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

Historical Cooperation and Present Tensions

The two nations have long collaborated in tackling drug-trafficking groups, with the US at times dispatching CIA, military and Drug Enforcement Administration operatives to support the country's initiatives to fight criminal networks.

But the incursion of US troops into Mexico to engage with the cartels, especially without Mexico's consent, would be an unprecedented move that would almost certainly fracture an fragile bilateral relationship.

Latest Measures and Understandings

The US government has made confronting drug-trafficking groups a key element of its foreign policy: in February, Washington designated multiple drug cartels as terrorist groups.

It has also initiated a series of attacks against suspected drug-trafficking boats, including striking vessels in the Pacific Ocean that resulted in the deaths of multiple suspects in recent weeks.

While authorities saved a survivor from the strike, the President criticized the actions and instructed officials from her government to address them with the American envoy to the nation.

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

“We are going to continue working within this cooperative structure, which has defined guidelines … which honors our independence and our territorial integrity.”

Sheinbaum's Stance on Security Approach

The Mexican president has also seemed cooler on militarised anti-narcotics tactics than her preceding leaders: on the previous day, she dismissed any modifications to the country’s security strategy despite the recent brutal killing of a local official in western Mexico.

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