Sheinbaum stated that she declined Trump’s proposal to deploy troops to Mexico

On Saturday, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that U.S. President Donald Trump had suggested deploying U.S. troops to Mexico to address drug trafficking, a proposal she firmly declined, asserting that ‘sovereignty is not for sale.’

Sheinbaum’s remarks followed inquiries regarding a Wall Street Journal article from May 2, which indicated that Trump was urging Mexico to permit increased U.S. military involvement against drug cartels to tackle trafficking across their shared border.

‘During one of our conversations, (Trump) asked, ‘How can we assist you in fighting drug trafficking? I propose that the U.S. Army come in to help you,” Sheinbaum recounted at a university event near the capital. ‘And my response was clear: No, President Trump, our territory is sacred, sovereignty is sacred, sovereignty cannot be bought, sovereignty is cherished and defended,’ she emphasized, noting that while collaboration between the two nations is possible, ‘we will never accept the presence of U.S. military forces on our soil.’

A spokesperson for the U.S. National Security Council (NSC) responded to a Reuters inquiry, stating that Trump had been ‘crystal clear that Mexico must enhance its efforts against these gangs and cartels, and the United States is prepared to assist and strengthen the already close cooperation between our two nations.’

The spokesperson also mentioned that Trump had collaborated closely with Sheinbaum to establish ‘the most secure southwest border in history,’ but acknowledged that ‘dangerous foreign terrorist organizations continue to pose a threat to our mutual security, and the drugs and crime they propagate endanger American communities nationwide,’ the spokesperson added.

The White House did not provide an immediate response to Reuters’ inquiry regarding whether Trump had discussed troop deployments with Sheinbaum.

Trump has publicly stated that the U.S. would consider unilateral military intervention if Mexico does not take action against drug cartels. In recent months, the two leaders have engaged in multiple discussions regarding security, trade, and immigration.

Sheinbaum mentioned that during one of these discussions, she requested Trump’s assistance in preventing the flow of weapons from the U.S. into Mexico, which contribute to violence and trafficking. ‘We can collaborate and work together, but you can address it in your territory while we handle it in ours,’ Sheinbaum remarked.

According to a report from The Wall Street Journal on Friday, tensions escalated during an April 16 phone call when Trump advocated for a prominent role of U.S. armed forces in combating Mexican drug gangs responsible for producing and smuggling fentanyl into the U.S.

Earlier in February, the U.S. classified the Sinaloa Cartel and other Mexican drug cartels as global terrorist organizations, a designation that some analysts caution could pave the way for military action.

Additionally, the U.S. military has ramped up airborne surveillance of Mexican drug cartels as part of its intelligence-gathering efforts to effectively counter their operations. In response, Sheinbaum has proposed a constitutional amendment to enhance protections for Mexico’s national sovereignty.