Mexican President Rejects Trump's Troop Deployment Proposal

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has firmly rejected President Donald Trump’s offer to deploy U.S. troops in Mexico to combat drug cartels and trafficking, emphasizing that Mexican sovereignty is inviolable and that U.S. military presence on Mexican territory is unacceptable. Sheinbaum confirmed the proposal in response to a Wall Street Journal report and reiterated her position at public events, stating cooperation can occur but only with each country operating within its own borders and through information sharing. Despite declining the troop offer, Sheinbaum has allowed the U.S. to conduct drone surveillance over Mexico to help locate fentanyl labs, and both governments continue to collaborate on border security and intelligence sharing. U.S. officials and conservative groups have argued that Mexico must do more to stop drug cartels and the flow of fentanyl into the U.S., with some advocating for stronger unilateral or joint military action if cooperation falters. The Trump administration has also designated several Mexican cartels as terrorist organizations and imposed tariffs in an effort to pressure Mexico on border and drug issues. While both sides acknowledge the need for continued cooperation, the clear red line for Mexico remains its refusal to permit foreign troops on its soil.