Mexico does not accept US troops on its territory

Mexico assured Friday that it "will not accept" US military forces on its territory, reacting to US President Donald Trump's support for the involvement of US troops in the fight against criminal cartels in Latin America.

Trump's statements resulted in an exchange of statements between the diplomatic services of the two countries, with the United States Ambassador to Mexico, Ronald Johnson, issuing a statement in response to an initial statement from the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in which he assured Washington's interest in continuing to "work collaboratively with the government of President Claudia Sheinbaum to confront this threat with the seriousness it demands."

Johnson stressed that "this is not about the United States acting alone, it is about building a united and unwavering front with Mexico to defend our citizens, dismantle the cartel networks, and ensure that the only people who should fear for their future are those who profit from murder, addiction, and chaos."

In response to this statement, Mexico's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that both countries "agree" that collaboration takes place "with unrestricted respect" for sovereignty.

"Everyone must work in their own country to combat the causes of addiction and violence stemming from illegal drug and arms trafficking," the Mexican Foreign Ministry added.

Furthermore, the ministry stated that cooperation between the two nations is “based on the principles of mutual trust, shared responsibility, sovereign equality, respect for territorial integrity and cooperation without subordination.”

The ministry further explained that Mexico has a National Security Strategy to build peace with justice, addressing the structural causes that foster violence and moving towards zero impunity.

"Mexico will continue to work in coordination with the United States. Particularly in combating illicit drug and arms trafficking, which is essential to reducing violence (...), we have been working for months on a security agreement based on these principles: collaboration and respect for sovereignty," he added.

The Mexican government concluded by reiterating that “Mexico will not accept the participation of American military forces” on its territory.

This Friday, at her daily briefing, President Sheinbaum stated that the United States will not "invade" Mexican territory with military personnel, after the New York Times reported that Donald Trump would sign an executive order instructing the Pentagon to use military force against drug cartels in Latin America.

Since returning to the White House, the US President has made combating fentanyl trafficking in the United States one of his priorities, emphasizing that the substance is produced primarily by Mexican cartels using Chinese products.

In response to the impact of drugs in the country, which has already caused a large number of deaths, the Trump Administration designated the six main Mexican cartels as terrorists in February: Sinaloa, Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), Noreste, Golfo, Carteles Unidos and Nueva Familia Mexicana.