Mexican president rejects US intervention in Mexico to combat drug cartels

MEXICO CITY: Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Monday rejected the possibility of U.S. intervention in Mexico to combat drug cartels, stressing the importance of maintaining national sovereignty and strengthening the country's unity.

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Sheinbaum dismisses US military intervention, insisting cooperation must respect Mexico's sovereignty.
Mexico's anti-drug strategy focuses on strengthening institutions and tackling social issues, not foreign troops.
Murder rate dropped 37% and authorities seized 300 tonnes of drugs, dismantling 1,700 labs since late 2024.

During her usual daily press conference, Sheinbaum dismissed the need for talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly suggested sending U.S. troops to Mexico to combat drug trafficking.

Any security cooperation must be based on mutual respect, national sovereignty, and collaboration without subordination, she stressed.

"I don't believe in invasion, I don't even think it's something they're taking very seriously," she said, noting Trump has repeatedly insisted that the U.S. military could enter Mexican territory, but her administration has "firmly said no."

The problem of drug trafficking cannot be solved through foreign military action, said Sheinbaum, adding that the Mexican government is implementing a comprehensive anti-drug strategy based on strengthening national security institutions and addressing social issues.

She reiterated that arms smuggling from the United States into Mexico is one of the main causes of violent crime in the country.

Still, her administration has made headway in combating violence, with official data from October 2024 to November 2025 showing the murder rate has dropped by 37 percent, said the president.

In addition, authorities have seized more than 300 tonnes of drugs and dismantled nearly 1,700 clandestine laboratories in that period, she said.

Mexico maintains active cooperation with the United States in areas such as training, information exchange and other actions to curb drug trafficking, but the collaboration is carried out under principles of mutual respect and without subordination, said Sheinbaum.