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The nation's head of state Claudia Sheinbaum has firmly denied allegations that the US government is considering to send military forces into the country to combat dominant drug trafficking organizations, emphasizing that she has repeatedly declined such offers from Donald Trump.

“It’s not going to happen,” the President declared during her daily morning press briefing on Tuesday. “We do not agree to any process of interference or external interference.”

Context on the Allegations

Sheinbaum's comments come after a report quoting current and former American authorities that the US government has started planning for a mission to send American military personnel and intelligence officers into the neighboring nation.

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

Additionally, the account stated that American forces would operate under the jurisdiction of the American spy agencies, and that officers from the Central Intelligence Agency would take part as well.

The Nation's Response

But the Mexican leader was insistent that her nation had “lack of details” about such a planned incursion, although she admitted that in phone calls with Trump, he had offered to dispatch troops and additional resources to tackle criminal groups.

“I have repeatedly stated thank you very much, President Trump. But absolutely not, Mexico is a independent, independent and sovereign country,” the President declared.

Historical Cooperation and Present Tensions

Mexico and the US have historically worked together in addressing cartels, with the US at times sending CIA, armed forces and DEA operatives to support Mexico's initiatives to fight organized crime.

But the entry of American military into the territory to directly confront the drug lords, particularly without Mexico's agreement, would be an unheard-of step that would likely damage an fragile partnership between the two countries.

Recent Actions and Understandings

The US government has made addressing drug-trafficking groups a key element of its foreign policy: in last winter, the US designated multiple drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.

It has also initiated a multiple strikes against alleged drug-trafficking boats, including targeting ships in the eastern Pacific that killed multiple suspects in late October.

Although authorities rescued one of the survivors from the strike, Sheinbaum condemned the actions and instructed representatives from her government to discuss them with the American envoy to Mexico.

On that day, she also highlighted that the country had reached a cooperation pact 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 territoriality.”

Sheinbaum's Position on Security Approach

The national leader has also seemed cooler on military-focused drug combat strategies than her predecessors: on Monday, she ruled out any modifications to the nation's safety approach despite the recent brutal killing of a mayor in a Mexican state.

“Some are calling for militarization and armed conflict, as occurred with the war on drugs,” Sheinbaum said. “That didn’t work.”