In a clear stance against U.S. military intervention, President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico rejected any notion of a U.S. invasion as efforts to combat drug cartels intensify, particularly in light of President Trump's controversial military directives.
Mexico Dismisses Trump's Military Directive Against Drug Cartels
Mexico Dismisses Trump's Military Directive Against Drug Cartels
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum firmly states that the U.S. military will not invade Mexico to combat drug cartels, following reports of Trump’s directive for potential military action.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has categorically ruled out the possibility of U.S. military involvement in Mexico in response to drug cartels. On Friday, she asserted, "The United States is not going to come to Mexico with the military.... There is not going to be an invasion. That is ruled out, absolutely ruled out." This statement followed reports from The New York Times indicating that Trump had allegedly signed a directive allowing the Pentagon to take military action against drug cartels operating in Latin America, particularly Mexico.
While the White House did not directly address the content of the directive, officials reaffirmed that Trump’s primary concern is national security. Earlier this year, Trump designated eight drug cartels, most of which are Mexican, as terrorist organizations, further intensifying the U.S. approach towards combating the drug crisis fueled predominantly by fentanyl trafficking.
Sheinbaum emphasized that the Mexican government had been informed of the order about the cartels but insisted that it would not involve U.S. military intervention. She has previously voiced concerns that such designations should not serve as a pretext for "invading our sovereignty."
The debate over military intervention comes amid a notable trend in U.S.-Mexico collaboration to manage the issues of illegal migration and drug trafficking. Recent data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection indicates a significant decrease in border crossings, and U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Ronald Johnson, has reported a decline in fentanyl seizures.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has advocated for treating drug cartels as armed terrorist organizations instead of mere drug dealers, suggesting that this designation can provide a framework for more aggressive tactics against these groups. As tensions between the two countries continue over drug-related violence, both leaders appear united in their commitment to address these pressing issues through cooperative measures rather than military confrontation.
