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The nation's head of state Claudia Sheinbaum has firmly denied reports that the United States is planning to deploy troops into the country to confront powerful cartels, stating that she has repeatedly refused such offers from President Trump.

“It’s not going to happen,” Sheinbaum declared during her regular news conference on that day. “We are opposed to any process of interventionism or external interference.”

Context on the Allegations

Sheinbaum's comments follow a news story citing present and past US officials that the US government has initiated preparations for a mission to send American military personnel and intelligence officers into Mexico.

The report suggested that although the mission was not imminent and no final decision had been made, the early stages of training had already begun along with talks about the scope of the deployment.

Furthermore, the report mentioned that US troops would operate under the jurisdiction of the American spy agencies, and that personnel from the Central Intelligence Agency would take part as well.

Mexico's Reaction

But the Mexican leader was insistent that her country had “no information” about such a proposed incursion, although she acknowledged that in conversations with Trump, he had proposed to dispatch military support and other assistance to confront organized crime.

“I have repeatedly stated thank you very much, President Trump. But no, our country is a free, sovereign and sovereign country,” the President affirmed.

Historical Cooperation and Present Strains

Mexico and the US have historically worked together in addressing drug-trafficking groups, with the United States at times sending intelligence, armed forces and Drug Enforcement Administration agents to assist the country's initiatives to fight criminal networks.

But the incursion of American military into Mexico to engage with the drug lords, especially without the nation's agreement, would be an unprecedented move that would likely damage an already tenuous bilateral relationship.

Recent Measures and Agreements

The Trump administration has made confronting criminal organizations a key element of its international strategy: in last winter, the US classified six Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.

It has also launched a series of attacks against alleged narco vessels, most recently striking ships in the eastern Pacific that resulted in the deaths of multiple suspects in recent weeks.

Although Mexico saved a survivor from the strike, Sheinbaum criticized the strikes and ordered representatives from her government to address them with the US ambassador to the nation.

On Tuesday, Sheinbaum also noted that Mexico had reached a security agreement with the US that was negotiated over several months.

“We are going to continue working within this cooperative structure, which has defined guidelines … which respects our sovereignty and our territorial integrity.”

The President's Stance on Security Approach

The Mexican president has also seemed cooler on military-focused drug combat strategies than her predecessors: on the previous day, she dismissed any modifications to the nation's safety approach despite the recent brutal killing of a local official in western Mexico.

“There are demands for militarization and war, as occurred with the anti-drug campaign,” Sheinbaum commented. “It proved ineffective.”