Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum moved quickly on Monday to ease fears over possible U.S. military intervention in Mexico, following a sharp exchange with former President Donald Trump regarding drug cartel violence. In a daily press briefing, Sheinbaum emphasized that communication with Trump remained “very good” and reaffirmed her stance on protecting national sovereignty.
Over the weekend, Sheinbaum disclosed that she had rejected an offer from Trump during a recent call, in which he proposed sending U.S. troops into Mexico to combat drug cartels. Her response was firm:
“No, President Trump, our territory is inviolable, our sovereignty is inviolable.”
She stressed that while Mexico remains open to bilateral cooperation, it would never accept foreign military presence on its soil.
Trump confirmed the exchange, justifying his offer by calling the cartels “horrible people” and accusing Sheinbaum of being too afraid to handle them effectively.
Despite Trump’s incendiary comments, analysts say Sheinbaum has managed the situation with measured diplomacy, balancing the need to maintain a productive U.S.-Mexico relationship while defending domestic autonomy. She has drawn praise for keeping public relations with Trump largely cordial, even as policy disputes intensify.
A Tense But Crucial Partnership
The relationship between the U.S. and Mexico is both delicate and deeply interwoven, encompassing trade, migration, and border security. Since returning to office in January, Trump has reinstated tariff threats—linking them to the flow of migrants and fentanyl—which has prompted Mexico to respond with heightened security measures. Sheinbaum’s administration has:
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Deployed 10,000 additional troops to the U.S. border
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Extradited 29 high-profile cartel figures to the U.S.
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Abandoned her predecessor’s passive strategy in favor of a more aggressive anti-crime crackdown
These moves reflect both internal resolve and external pressure. “Trump has created a real pressure that’s forced Mexico to act,” said Will Freeman from the Council on Foreign Relations. Still, Trump has floated the idea of unilateral U.S. military action if Mexico fails to dismantle the cartels.
Experts Warn Against Military Intervention
Security and foreign policy experts remain skeptical about the effectiveness of U.S. troops on Mexican soil.
“You need intelligence, justice system accountability, and political will—not just military power,” said Freeman.
Others warn that even if ill-advised, a unilateral U.S. military move cannot be ruled out entirely.
“All scenarios should be planned for,” said Cecilia Farfán-Méndez of the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime.
Sheinbaum has made it clear: any such intervention would be viewed as an “invasion.” For now, her strategy appears focused on walking a tightrope between diplomacy and defiance—keeping lines open with Washington while holding the line on sovereignty.
