Mexico’s Sheinbaum Rejects Trump’s Military Offer Against Drug Cartels

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has denied former President Trump’s offer of U.S. military assistance to combat drug cartels. She emphasized Mexico’s sovereignty and the importance of information sharing, while Trump and White House officials highlight enhanced cooperation efforts. A conservative think tank has suggested military action may be needed, though such measures should be a last resort.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has formally rejected an offer from former President Donald Trump regarding military assistance aimed at combating drug cartels in Mexico. The revelation followed a report by the Wall Street Journal on Friday detailing Trump’s outreach to Sheinbaum, during which he inquired about ways to support the fight against drug trafficking. Sheinbaum’s response was unequivocal; she stated that Mexico would “never accept” U.S. troops on its soil.

In her conversation with Trump, she emphasized the importance of Mexico’s sovereignty, stating, “No, President Trump, our territory is inalienable, sovereignty is inalienable.” Sheinbaum expressed that while collaboration is welcome, it must occur with the United States respecting Mexico’s jurisdiction. “We can share information, but we will never accept the presence of the United States Army on our territory,” she added.

Meanwhile, Anna Kelly, the deputy press secretary at the White House, released a statement on Saturday highlighting ongoing partnership efforts in addressing security at the border. According to Kelly, the cooperation between Trump and Sheinbaum has reached unprecedented levels, which in turn has facilitated enhanced border security. She pointed out that there have been successful operations leading to the extradition of cartel leaders to face justice in the U.S. and touted the administration’s attempts to create what she described as the most secure border in U.S. history.

Since taking office, Trump has persisted in using CIA drones for surveillance missions over Mexico, a process that he coordinates with Mexican authorities. Furthermore, he has classified drug cartels as “foreign terrorist organizations” in an attempt to galvanize a more robust law enforcement response.

However, Kelly also mentioned that Mexico has a responsibility to step up its efforts in safeguarding Americans from the impact of the cartels, declaring, “We will continue exploring ways to enhance our efforts across the region to dismantle these transnational criminal organizations.” She stressed that the overarching goal is still to ensure America’s safety.

In related discussions, the Heritage Foundation, a prominent conservative think tank, put forth a report earlier this year outlining potential strategies that Trump could adopt, proposing military actions to tackle the ongoing border crisis. The report contended that cartels are growing more entrenched, with illegal immigration and drug smuggling on the rise, amid a backdrop of waning security collaboration between the U.S. and Mexico.

It also advised that any unilateral military action should be a last resort, suggesting instead that joint military actions should include Mexican coordination. The group asserted that the prospects for cooperation may remain limited under Sheinbaum’s administration despite the escalating risks posed by the drug cartels.

In summary, President Claudia Sheinbaum’s firm rejection of U.S. military assistance signifies a strong assertion of Mexican sovereignty in the battle against drug cartels. Trump’s approach, bolstered by escalating surveillance efforts and classified designations of cartels as terrorist organizations, faces challenges as cooperation between the two nations hangs in the balance. As issues of border security and transnational crime continue to dominate discussions, the effectiveness of collaborative measures will play a crucial role in addressing the persistent threat posed by drug trafficking organizations.

Original Source: www.foxnews.com