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Mexico's head of state Claudia Sheinbaum has categorically denied allegations that the US government is considering to send troops into the country to combat dominant cartels, stating that she has repeatedly refused such offers from Donald Trump.

“This will not occur,” Sheinbaum stated during her regular news conference on Tuesday. “We are opposed to any form of interventionism or external interference.”

Context on the Allegations

The President's comments come after a news story quoting current and former US officials that the US government has started planning for a mission to deploy US troops and agents into Mexico.

This information suggested that although the mission was not immediate and a conclusive choice had been reached, the early stages of preparation had commenced along with talks about the scope of the operation.

Furthermore, the account stated that American forces would function under the jurisdiction of the US intelligence community, and that officers from the Central Intelligence Agency would also participate.

The Nation's Reaction

But Sheinbaum was adamant that her nation had “no information” about such a proposed intervention, although she admitted that in conversations with Trump, he had proposed to dispatch military support and additional resources to confront organized crime.

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

Past Collaboration and Current Tensions

Mexico and the US have historically worked together in addressing cartels, with the US at times dispatching CIA, military and DEA operatives to support the country's efforts to fight criminal networks.

But the entry of American military into Mexico to directly confront the cartels, particularly without Mexico's agreement, would be an unprecedented move that would almost certainly damage an fragile bilateral relationship.

Latest Measures and Understandings

The Trump administration has designated confronting criminal organizations a key element of its international strategy: in February, the US classified six Mexican cartels as terrorist groups.

Additionally, it has initiated a multiple strikes against alleged drug-trafficking boats, most recently striking vessels in the Pacific Ocean that killed multiple suspects in late October.

Although Mexico saved a survivor from the attack, the President criticized the strikes and ordered representatives from her government to discuss them with the US ambassador to Mexico.

On Tuesday, Sheinbaum also highlighted that the country had finalized a security agreement with the US that was discussed over an extended period.

“We are going to continue working within this framework of understanding, which has very clear principles … which respects our independence and our territorial integrity.”

The President's Position on Security Strategy

The Mexican president has also appeared cooler on military-focused anti-narcotics tactics than her predecessors: on Monday, she dismissed any modifications to the country’s security strategy despite the recent brutal killing of a local official in a Mexican state.

“Some are calling for militarization and armed conflict, as happened with the war on drugs,” she said. “It proved ineffective.”