Mexican President Rejects US Military Deployment Against Cartels

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum made it clear Friday that no U.S. military forces will be operating on Mexican soil, even as President Donald Trump moves forward with an aggressive plan to target violent drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.

Her remarks came after reports revealed Trump had signed an order authorizing the use of U.S. military force against cartel operations in other countries. Sheinbaum acknowledged that Washington gave her advance notice of the directive, but she insisted there would be no boots on the ground in Mexico.

“We cooperate, we collaborate, but there is not going to be an invasion,” she stated firmly. “That is ruled out, absolutely ruled out.”

The new policy zeroes in on Latin American cartels already labeled as foreign terrorist groups. While specifics remain under wraps, potential targets include some of the most dangerous organizations fueling violence and drug trafficking into the United States:

• Sinaloa Cartel responsible for massive fentanyl smuggling operations into U.S. cities.

• Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) an ultra-violent gang with operations spanning Central America and the United States.

• Tren de Aragua a rapidly growing criminal network linked to kidnappings and extortion across the region.

The Trump administration also recently designated the Venezuelan Cartel de los Soles as a terrorist group, further expanding its reach in the fight against international drug crime.

Despite refusing U.S. military deployment, Sheinbaum has cooperated under Trump’s pressure. Earlier this year, she deployed hundreds of Mexican troops against the Sinaloa Cartel, leading to major losses for the group. U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson credited this partnership for the sharp decline in fentanyl smuggling into America, noting increased seizures in Mexico as proof of progress.

The stakes are high. Mexico’s cartel violence has claimed tens of thousands of lives annually, while the United States battles record drug overdose deaths over 112,000 in 2023 alone, with fentanyl as the leading killer. Trump’s border security push, including drone surveillance and troop deployment along the southern border, has already brought illegal crossings to historic lows.

Trump’s strategy is clear: use every tool available economic pressure, international agreements, and decisive action to choke off cartel power and secure America’s borders. Mexico may resist direct U.S. military presence, but the message from Washington is unmistakable: the era of unchecked cartel terror is coming to an end.

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