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Mexico's head of state Claudia Sheinbaum has categorically rejected reports that the United States is planning to deploy military forces into Mexico to confront dominant drug trafficking organizations, stating that she has repeatedly refused such offers from President Trump.

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

Context on the Allegations

The President's remarks come after a report citing present and past US officials that the Trump administration has initiated preparations for a mission to deploy American military personnel and intelligence officers into the neighboring nation.

The report indicated that although the mission was not imminent and a conclusive choice had been reached, the early stages of preparation had commenced along with talks about the scope of the deployment.

Additionally, the report mentioned that American forces would operate under the authority of the American spy agencies, and that personnel from the CIA would take part as well.

Mexico's Response

But Sheinbaum was adamant that her country had “lack of details” about such a planned intervention, although she admitted that in conversations with the US president, he had proposed to send military support and additional resources to confront criminal groups.

“I have repeatedly stated thank you very much, Mr. Trump. But absolutely not, Mexico is a free, independent and autonomous country,” Sheinbaum declared.

Past Cooperation and Present Strains

The two nations have historically worked together in addressing drug-trafficking groups, with the United States at times dispatching CIA, military and DEA agents to assist Mexico's initiatives to fight criminal networks.

But the entry of US troops into the territory to engage with the drug lords, particularly without the nation's agreement, would be an unprecedented step that would likely fracture an fragile partnership between the two countries.

Latest Actions and Understandings

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

Additionally, it has initiated a multiple strikes against alleged narco vessels, including striking ships in the Pacific Ocean that resulted in the deaths of multiple suspects in recent weeks.

Although authorities rescued a survivor from the attack, the President criticized the strikes and ordered officials from her government to address them with the American envoy to Mexico.

On Tuesday, she also noted that Mexico had finalized a cooperation pact with the United States that was negotiated over an extended period.

“We are going to continue working within this framework of understanding, which has very clear principles … which respects our sovereignty and our territorial integrity.”

Sheinbaum's Stance on Security Approach

The national leader has also seemed less enthusiastic on militarised drug combat strategies than her predecessors: on Monday, she ruled out any changes to the country’s security strategy despite the recent brutal killing of a local official in western Mexico.

“Some are calling for militarization and armed conflict, as happened with the anti-drug campaign,” she commented. “It proved ineffective.”