Trump's Military Plans Against Mexican Cartels Declared a No-Go by Officials

Amid reports of secret military directives from President Trump targeting Latin American drug cartels, President Sheinbaum has assured that the US will not invade Mexico, underscoring the importance of national sovereignty.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has categorically dismissed the notion of a US military intervention in Mexico's fight against drug cartels, following revelations that President Donald Trump allegedly signed a directive authorizing such measures. "The United States is not going to come to Mexico with the military," Sheinbaum asserted during a press conference. "We cooperate, we collaborate, but there is not going to be an invasion. That is ruled out, absolutely ruled out."

This firm stance arose after reports surfaced from the New York Times, stating that Trump quietly directed the Pentagon to take military action against international drug cartels. The directive is seen as a potential escalation toward treating cartels as terrorist organizations, particularly six of which are Mexican.

While the White House declined to comment specifically on the directive, they did emphasize Trump's commitment to protecting American interests. This directive follows a previous executive order that categorized several drug cartels as terrorist groups, influencing how the US might engage with these organizations both domestically and abroad.

In response to the concerns about potential US military activity, Sheinbaum noted that the Mexican government had been made aware that the ordered measures would exclude any military involvement. "It is not part of any agreement, far from it. When it has been brought up, we have always said 'No,'" she clarified.

Furthermore, Secretary of State Marco Rubio reinforced the need for a tougher stance against cartels, indicating this designation would bolster US efforts through intelligence and defense channels.

Despite these tensions, recent statistics indicate that Mexican-American cooperation may be yielding positive outcomes in countering illegal migration and drug trafficking. The US-Mexico border saw the lowest recorded crossings in June, and there has been a significant decrease in fentanyl seizures at the border. US Ambassador to Mexico, Ronald Johnson, lauded the efforts between Biden and Sheinbaum as pivotal in addressing cartel activities and enhancing safety for both nations.