Mexico Declines Trump's Offer of Troops
Claudia Sheinbaum, the President of Mexico, has rejected an offer from US President Donald Trump to deploy troops to combat drug cartels. She emphasized that while Mexico is open to collaboration, it will not accept “subordination” to the United...
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Claudia Sheinbaum, the President of Mexico, has rejected an offer from US President Donald Trump to deploy troops to combat drug cartels. She emphasized that while Mexico is open to collaboration, it will not accept “subordination” to the United States.
Her remarks followed a report by the Wall Street Journal, which indicated that Trump had pressured Sheinbaum during a phone call in mid-April to permit US military operations in Mexico aimed at tackling fentanyl-smuggling cartels. Sources mentioned that Sheinbaum firmly declined the proposal, leading to a tense discussion.
During the opening of a university on Saturday, Sheinbaum acknowledged the report and reiterated her stance. “It is true… he said, ‘I propose that the US army enter to help.’ And you know what I told him? No, President Trump, our territory is inalienable, our sovereignty is inalienable, our sovereignty is not for sale!” she declared.
She further stated that if Trump wishes to assist, he should concentrate on curbing the flow of weapons from the US into Mexico.
The White House released a statement on Saturday, highlighting that Sheinbaum and Trump have cooperated closely “to achieve the most secure southwest border in history,” but it did not address the reported troop deployment offer. “The president has been crystal clear that Mexico must do more to combat these gangs and cartels, and the US stands ready to assist and expand the already close cooperation between our two countries,” the statement noted.
Trump has frequently accused Mexico of inadequately preventing drug cartels from smuggling fentanyl into the US. In his presidential campaign last year, he promised to intensify efforts against illegal immigration and drug trafficking, claiming that Mexico is “essentially run by the cartels” and suggesting that the US should “wage war” on them.
To exert pressure on Mexico, Trump imposed 25% tariffs on all Mexican imports, though these tariffs were later suspended for items covered under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which includes food, medical devices, clothing, chemicals, and machinery. A separate 25% tariff on Mexican car imports is still in effect, and the US has also sanctioned members and affiliates of cartel organizations.
In February, Sheinbaum did agree to deploy 10,000 troops to help combat fentanyl smuggling and address illegal border crossings. That same month, Mexico extradited 29 cartel suspects to the US.
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
Her remarks followed a report by the Wall Street Journal, which indicated that Trump had pressured Sheinbaum during a phone call in mid-April to permit US military operations in Mexico aimed at tackling fentanyl-smuggling cartels. Sources mentioned that Sheinbaum firmly declined the proposal, leading to a tense discussion.
During the opening of a university on Saturday, Sheinbaum acknowledged the report and reiterated her stance. “It is true… he said, ‘I propose that the US army enter to help.’ And you know what I told him? No, President Trump, our territory is inalienable, our sovereignty is inalienable, our sovereignty is not for sale!” she declared.
She further stated that if Trump wishes to assist, he should concentrate on curbing the flow of weapons from the US into Mexico.
The White House released a statement on Saturday, highlighting that Sheinbaum and Trump have cooperated closely “to achieve the most secure southwest border in history,” but it did not address the reported troop deployment offer. “The president has been crystal clear that Mexico must do more to combat these gangs and cartels, and the US stands ready to assist and expand the already close cooperation between our two countries,” the statement noted.
Trump has frequently accused Mexico of inadequately preventing drug cartels from smuggling fentanyl into the US. In his presidential campaign last year, he promised to intensify efforts against illegal immigration and drug trafficking, claiming that Mexico is “essentially run by the cartels” and suggesting that the US should “wage war” on them.
To exert pressure on Mexico, Trump imposed 25% tariffs on all Mexican imports, though these tariffs were later suspended for items covered under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which includes food, medical devices, clothing, chemicals, and machinery. A separate 25% tariff on Mexican car imports is still in effect, and the US has also sanctioned members and affiliates of cartel organizations.
In February, Sheinbaum did agree to deploy 10,000 troops to help combat fentanyl smuggling and address illegal border crossings. That same month, Mexico extradited 29 cartel suspects to the US.
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
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