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The nation's President Claudia Sheinbaum has categorically rejected reports that the US government is considering to deploy troops into the country to combat dominant cartels, stating that she has consistently declined such proposals from President Trump.

“It’s not going to happen,” Sheinbaum stated during her regular news conference on that day. “We are opposed to any process of interference or external interference.”

Context on the Reports

The President's comments follow a news story quoting current and former American authorities that the US government has initiated preparations for a mission to deploy US troops and agents into Mexico.

The report suggested that although the mission was not immediate and a conclusive choice had been reached, the early stages of preparation had already begun along with talks about the extent of the operation.

Furthermore, the report mentioned that American forces would operate under the jurisdiction of the American spy agencies, and that personnel from the CIA would also participate.

Mexico's Reaction

But the Mexican leader was insistent that her nation had “no information” about such a proposed intervention, although she acknowledged that in conversations with the US president, he had proposed to dispatch troops and additional resources to tackle criminal groups.

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

Historical Cooperation and Current Tensions

Mexico and the US have historically worked together in tackling cartels, with the United States at times dispatching intelligence, armed forces and Drug Enforcement Administration agents to assist the country's efforts to combat criminal networks.

But the incursion of American military into the territory to directly confront the cartels, especially without the nation's agreement, would be an unheard-of step that would likely damage an already tenuous partnership between the two countries.

Recent Actions and Understandings

The US government has designated confronting drug-trafficking groups a key element of its foreign policy: in last winter, the US classified multiple drug cartels as terrorist groups.

Additionally, it has launched a series of attacks against suspected narco vessels, most recently striking vessels in the Pacific Ocean that killed multiple suspects in recent weeks.

Although Mexico saved a survivor from the strike, Sheinbaum criticized the strikes and instructed representatives from her government to address them with the American envoy to Mexico.

On Tuesday, Sheinbaum also highlighted that the country had reached a cooperation pact with the United States that was negotiated over several months.

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

The President's Position on Security Strategy

The Mexican president has also seemed cooler on militarised anti-narcotics tactics than her preceding leaders: on the previous day, she ruled out any modifications to the nation's security strategy despite the murder of a local official in western Mexico.

“There are demands for military action and armed conflict, as happened with the anti-drug campaign,” Sheinbaum commented. “It proved ineffective.”