Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has issued a strong and unequivocal rejection of any potential United States military intervention on Mexican soil aimed at combating powerful drug cartels. The declaration was made during her daily press conference on Monday, January 5, 2026, in Mexico City.
A Firm Stance on Sovereignty and Respect
President Sheinbaum directly addressed recent suggestions from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly floated the idea of sending American troops into Mexico to tackle drug trafficking networks. She dismissed the need for talks on the matter, stating her administration has already given a "firmly said no" to such proposals.
"I don't believe in invasion, I don't even think it's something they're taking very seriously," Sheinbaum remarked. She underscored that any security cooperation between the two neighboring nations must be founded on mutual respect, national sovereignty, and collaboration without subordination. For Mexico, the principle of sovereignty is non-negotiable.
Mexico's Comprehensive Strategy and Reported Success
The President argued that the complex issue of drug trafficking cannot be resolved through foreign military action. Instead, her government is pursuing a comprehensive domestic strategy. This approach focuses on strengthening Mexico's own security institutions and tackling the underlying social issues that fuel the drug trade.
Sheinbaum highlighted significant progress under this plan. Citing official data, she reported that the national murder rate has seen a dramatic 37 percent decrease from October 2024 to November 2025. Furthermore, authorities have achieved substantial operational wins, including the seizure of more than 300 tonnes (300,000 kilograms) of illicit drugs and the dismantling of nearly 1,700 clandestine laboratories during the same period.
Ongoing Cooperation and Key Challenges
While rejecting unilateral U.S. military action, President Sheinbaum clarified that Mexico maintains active cooperation with the United States in specific areas. This collaboration includes training programs, intelligence sharing, and other joint actions designed to curb the flow of drugs. However, she reiterated that this partnership is strictly conducted under the established principles of respect for sovereignty.
The President also pointed to a major challenge complicating Mexico's fight against violent crime: arms smuggling from the United States. She identified this cross-border flow of weapons as one of the primary drivers of violence within Mexico, shifting part of the onus back onto American authorities to control exports from their side of the border.
This firm stance sets a clear boundary for the bilateral relationship, emphasizing that while cooperation is welcome, it will not come at the expense of Mexican autonomy or territorial integrity.
