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Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum has categorically denied reports that the United States is planning to deploy military forces into Mexico to combat dominant drug trafficking organizations, emphasizing that she has repeatedly refused such proposals from Donald Trump.

“This will not occur,” Sheinbaum declared during her regular press briefing on Tuesday. “We are opposed to any process of interference or interventionism.”

Context on the Reports

The President's comments follow a news story citing current and former US officials that the US government has started planning for a mission to deploy American military personnel and intelligence officers into Mexico.

This information suggested that although the mission was not imminent and a conclusive choice had been made, the initial phases of preparation had commenced along with discussions about the extent of the operation.

Furthermore, the report mentioned that American forces would operate under the jurisdiction of the US intelligence community, and that personnel from the CIA would take part as well.

The Nation's Reaction

But the Mexican leader was adamant that her country had “no information” about such a planned intervention, although she acknowledged that in phone calls with the US president, he had proposed to dispatch military support and additional resources to tackle criminal groups.

“I have repeatedly stated my gratitude, President Trump. But no, our country is a independent, sovereign and sovereign country,” Sheinbaum affirmed.

Past Collaboration and Present Tensions

Mexico and the US have historically worked together in tackling cartels, with the United States at times sending intelligence, military and DEA agents to assist the country'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 unheard-of move that would likely fracture an already tenuous partnership between the two countries.

Recent Actions and Understandings

The US government has made addressing drug-trafficking groups a key element of its international strategy: in last winter, the US designated multiple drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.

It has also initiated a series of attacks against alleged narco vessels, most recently striking vessels in the eastern Pacific that resulted in the deaths of 14 alleged traffickers in recent weeks.

Although Mexico rescued a survivor from the attack, Sheinbaum criticized the strikes and ordered officials from her administration to discuss them with the American envoy to Mexico.

On that day, she also highlighted that Mexico had finalized a security agreement with the US that was negotiated over several months.

“We are going to continue working within this framework of understanding, which has defined guidelines … which honors our sovereignty and our territoriality.”

The President's Stance on Anti-Narcotics Approach

The national leader has also appeared cooler on military-focused anti-narcotics tactics than her predecessors: on Monday, she dismissed any changes to the country’s security strategy despite the recent brutal killing of a mayor in a Mexican state.

“There are demands for military action and armed conflict, as occurred with the war on drugs,” she said. “That didn’t work.”