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Mexico's head of state Sheinbaum has categorically denied allegations that the United States is planning to send military forces into Mexico to confront dominant cartels, stating that she has consistently declined such proposals from President Trump.

“This will not occur,” the President stated during her daily morning press briefing on Tuesday. “We are opposed to any form of interventionism or external interference.”

Background on the Allegations

Sheinbaum's remarks come after a news story citing present and past US officials that the US government has started planning for a mission to send US troops and agents into Mexico.

The report indicated that although the mission was not immediate and no final decision had been reached, the early stages of preparation had already begun along with talks about the scope of the deployment.

Additionally, the report stated that US troops would function under the jurisdiction of the US intelligence community, and that officers from the CIA would take part as well.

The Nation's Response

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

“I have repeatedly stated thank you very much, Mr. Trump. But absolutely not, Mexico is a free, independent and sovereign nation,” the President declared.

Past Collaboration and Present Tensions

Mexico and the US have long collaborated in addressing drug-trafficking groups, with the United States at times dispatching intelligence, armed forces and Drug Enforcement Administration agents to support the country's initiatives to combat criminal networks.

But the incursion of American military into Mexico to directly confront the drug lords, especially without Mexico's consent, would be an unheard-of step that would likely fracture an already tenuous bilateral relationship.

Recent Actions and Understandings

The Trump administration has made confronting criminal organizations a key element of its foreign policy: in February, the US classified multiple drug cartels as terrorist groups.

It has also initiated a series of attacks against alleged drug-trafficking boats, including targeting vessels in the Pacific Ocean that resulted in the deaths of 14 alleged traffickers in late October.

While authorities saved one of the survivors from the strike, the President criticized the actions and instructed officials from her administration to discuss them with the American envoy to Mexico.

On that day, she also highlighted that Mexico had finalized a cooperation pact with the US that was discussed over an extended period.

“We will proceed within this cooperative structure, which has defined guidelines … which respects our sovereignty and our territorial integrity.”

Sheinbaum's Position on Anti-Narcotics Strategy

The Mexican president has also seemed less enthusiastic on militarised anti-narcotics tactics than her predecessors: on the previous day, she ruled out any modifications to the nation's safety approach despite the murder of a mayor in a Mexican state.

“There are demands for militarization and armed conflict, as happened with the war on drugs,” she said. “That didn’t work.”