President Donald Trump’s request to lead anti-cartel military operations inside Mexico has been flatly rejected by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, who reaffirmed her country’s stance on national sovereignty.
In a direct conversation between the two leaders, Trump proposed deploying U.S. forces to target drug cartels operating within Mexican territory. While Sheinbaum acknowledged the importance of security cooperation, she made it clear that any such efforts must respect Mexico’s borders and constitutional autonomy.
The proposal comes amid growing tensions over cross-border crime and the U.S. government’s classification of certain Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. Trump has argued that stronger, more direct U.S. military involvement is needed to dismantle these networks.
Sheinbaum, however, has taken steps to reinforce legal protections that prevent foreign military presence without explicit national approval. She has also voiced concerns that such actions could undermine Mexico’s democratic institutions and provoke unnecessary conflict.
Despite the disagreement, both leaders signaled a continued willingness to collaborate on broader regional issues, including immigration control and trade, though this episode highlights the enduring friction between U.S. interventionist ambitions and Mexico’s insistence on self-governance.