Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has launched her strongest criticism to date against what she describes as blatant U.S. attempts to interfere in Mexican domestic politics. Speaking at a rally in Mexico City, she claimed that efforts by U.S. authorities and far-right groups to destabilize her government have intensified since the deaths of two CIA agents on April 19.
Rallying Cry Against Intervention
Sheinbaum turned a recurring theme in her recent speeches into a rallying cry on Sunday, stirring up supporters with allegations of foreign meddling. The most serious attempt at intervention, according to her, came days after the CIA incident when the U.S. Department of Justice indicted 10 Mexican officials, including Rubén Rocha Moya, the governor of Sinaloa state, on charges of alleged drug trafficking offenses.
“An incident of this magnitude is unprecedented in our bilateral relations,” Sheinbaum declared. “Is this really a legitimate, genuine interest in helping Mexico? Or are we perhaps seeing sectors of the U.S. far right positioning themselves ahead of their 2026 elections?”
Security Cooperation vs. Interference
The president assured that Mexico remains open to and committed to maintaining security cooperation to prevent drug trafficking. However, she emphasized that this does not grant the U.S. the authority to determine guilt or innocence. “When pressure is applied to our institutions from outside, when it becomes accepted that another country can intervene in matters that are the responsibility of Mexicans, we’re no longer talking about cooperation; we’re talking about interference,” Sheinbaum stated.
The case involving the 10 indicted individuals has become a major point of tension between Sheinbaum and the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump. It marks the first time a U.S. authority has requested the arrest and extradition of a sitting, elected Mexican official.
Evidence and Legal Proceedings
The Mexican government asserts that the Justice Department has not presented compelling evidence against the accused. The Mexican Attorney General’s Office has opened an investigation into the case. Last week, Rocha Moya and most of the indicted individuals testified before prosecutors, with the exception of two officials from Sinaloa who are already in custody in the U.S.
Sheinbaum questioned the legitimacy of any extradition order, especially when targeting elected officials, and encouraged her supporters to launch media campaigns and messages opposing foreign interference. “First they come for some, then for others, until the Department of Justice becomes the main decision-maker in Mexico,” she warned. “Who decides in Mexico? Foreign agents or the people?”
— With assistance from Manuela Tobias.
