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The nation's President Sheinbaum has firmly denied reports that the US government is considering to deploy military forces into the country to combat dominant drug trafficking organizations, emphasizing that she has consistently declined such proposals from Donald Trump.

“It’s not going to happen,” Sheinbaum declared during her daily morning press briefing on Tuesday. “We are opposed to any form of interference or external interference.”

Background on the Reports

The President's comments come after a news story quoting current and former US officials that the US government has initiated preparations for a operation to send US troops and intelligence officers into the neighboring nation.

The report suggested that although the mission was not imminent and a conclusive choice had been reached, the early stages of training had commenced along with discussions about the scope of the operation.

Furthermore, the report stated that American forces would function under the authority of the US intelligence community, and that officers from the Central Intelligence Agency would also participate.

Mexico's Response

But Sheinbaum was insistent that her nation had “no information” about such a proposed intervention, even though she acknowledged that in conversations with the US president, he had proposed to send troops and additional resources to confront criminal groups.

“I’ve always said my gratitude, President Trump. But absolutely not, Mexico is a free, sovereign and sovereign nation,” the President declared.

Past Collaboration and Current Strains

The two nations have historically worked together in addressing cartels, with the United States at times sending intelligence, armed forces and Drug Enforcement Administration agents to support the country's efforts to fight criminal networks.

But the entry of American military into the territory to directly confront the drug lords, especially without the nation's agreement, would be an unprecedented step that would likely damage an fragile bilateral relationship.

Recent Actions and Understandings

The US government has made confronting drug-trafficking groups a central pillar of its foreign policy: in February, the US designated six Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.

It has also initiated a series of attacks against alleged drug-trafficking boats, most recently targeting ships in the eastern Pacific that killed 14 alleged traffickers in recent weeks.

Although Mexico saved one of the survivors from the attack, Sheinbaum condemned the strikes and instructed representatives from her administration to address them with the American envoy to the nation.

On Tuesday, she also noted that Mexico had finalized a cooperation pact 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 independence and our territoriality.”

Sheinbaum's Stance on Security Approach

The Mexican president has also appeared cooler on militarised drug combat strategies than her preceding leaders: on Monday, she ruled out any changes to the nation's security strategy despite the recent brutal killing of a local official in a Mexican state.

“Some are calling for military action and war, as occurred with the war on drugs,” Sheinbaum commented. “That didn’t work.”