The president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaumcategorically ruled out any American military intervention against the cartels in Mexican territory after a telephone conversation with the president of the United States, Donald Trumpat a time of growing rhetorical tension over border security and drug trafficking.
The exchange, which Sheinbaum called “good conversation“, served to set limits. The president assured that she rejected proposals for military action and that Mexico will maintain cooperation with Washington only within the framework of its national sovereignty.
The message seeks to contain a verbal escalation coming from the White House and reaffirm a historical line of Mexican foreign policy: collaboration yes, subordination no.
Sovereignty as a red line
In his daily press conference, Sheinbaum explained that he made it clear to Trump that It’s not on the table a United States military operation in Mexico. “We continue to collaborate within the framework of our sovereignty. We seek coordination without subordination,” he stated, setting the tone of the bilateral relationship in terms of security.
The president added that, if statements to the contrary were made from Washington, she would request a new call to clarify positions. The emphasis is not accidental. Trump has toughened his speech in recent weeks and has publicly suggested that the cartels control large areas of the countryopening the door to direct attacks against targets on Mexican soil.
The background of the threats
The American president’s words are not isolated. They are part of a series of warnings about the use of military force to stop drug trafficking, especially fentanyltowards the United States. An approach that in Mexico arouses historical misgivings and has a strong internal political cost.
In parallel, the Secretary of State, Marco Rubiospoke on Sunday with the Mexican foreign minister, Juan Ramon de la Fuenteto demand more intense cooperation against drug trafficking networks and the flow of weapons. The diplomatic contact reflects growing pressure from Washington to obtain visible results.
Sheinbaum, however, defended the Mexican strategy. According to him, the trafficking of fentanyl from Mexico to the United States It has decreased by around 50% in the last yeara piece of information that seeks to reinforce the idea that external intervention is not necessary.
The president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, posing with other women for a photograph during an event this Wednesday, in Mexico City / EFE
Venezuela, Cuba and constitutional limits
During the call, Trump also asked about Mexico’s position regarding Venezuela. The response was consistent with the rest of the message: the country, Sheinbaum recalled, opposes military interventionsa position included in its Constitution.
The president also specified that she did not address the situation of Cubaafter the US president announced that the island would stop receiving Venezuelan oil and resources following the capture of President Nicolás Maduro by US forces at the beginning of January. Mexico, he said, would be willing to facilitate communication channels between Havana and Washington if requested.
The balance that Sheinbaum tries to maintain is delicate: cooperating with the United States on security and trade without crossing a line that, in Mexico, remains politically untouchable.
In a context of harsh rhetoric from Washington, the Mexican president chooses to close ranks around sovereignty and mark the limits of bilateral cooperation.
Subscribe to continue reading
