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The nation's head of state Claudia Sheinbaum has categorically rejected allegations that the US government is considering to send military forces into Mexico to combat powerful drug trafficking organizations, emphasizing that she has consistently refused such offers from Donald Trump.

“This will not occur,” Sheinbaum declared during her regular press briefing on that day. “We do not agree to any form of interference or interventionism.”

Context on the Reports

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

This information suggested that although the mission was not immediate and no final decision had been reached, the initial phases of training had commenced along with discussions about the scope of the operation.

Additionally, the report stated that American forces would operate under the jurisdiction of the American spy agencies, and that personnel from the Central Intelligence Agency would also participate.

The Nation's Reaction

But Sheinbaum was insistent that her country had “lack of details” about such a planned incursion, although she acknowledged that in phone calls with the US president, he had offered to dispatch troops and other assistance to tackle criminal groups.

“I have repeatedly stated thank you very much, President Trump. But no, Mexico is a free, sovereign and autonomous nation,” the President affirmed.

Historical Cooperation and Current Tensions

Mexico and the US have long collaborated in tackling drug-trafficking groups, with the US at times dispatching CIA, military and DEA operatives to support the country's initiatives to combat organized crime.

But the incursion of US troops into Mexico to directly confront the cartels, especially without Mexico's agreement, would be an unprecedented step that would likely fracture an fragile bilateral relationship.

Latest Measures and Agreements

The US government has designated addressing drug-trafficking groups a central pillar of its international strategy: in February, the US designated six Mexican cartels as terrorist groups.

It has also launched a multiple strikes against alleged drug-trafficking boats, most recently striking vessels in the Pacific Ocean that resulted in the deaths of 14 alleged traffickers in late October.

Although Mexico saved one of the survivors from the attack, Sheinbaum criticized the actions and ordered officials from her government to address them with the US ambassador to Mexico.

On Tuesday, Sheinbaum also noted that the country had finalized a security agreement with the United States that was discussed over several months.

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

Sheinbaum's Stance on Anti-Narcotics Strategy

The national leader has also seemed less enthusiastic on military-focused anti-narcotics tactics than her predecessors: on the previous day, she dismissed any modifications to the country’s security strategy despite the murder of a local official in western Mexico.

“There are demands for military action and war, as occurred with the anti-drug campaign,” she said. “It proved ineffective.”