Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum has delivered a firm rejection of potential U.S. military strikes against drug cartels on Mexican soil, creating fresh diplomatic tension between the neighboring nations. The declaration came just one day after U.S. President Donald Trump expressed willingness to take extreme measures to stop drug trafficking.
No Foreign Intervention on Mexican Soil
President Sheinbaum left no room for interpretation during her Tuesday announcement, stating unequivocally that American military action within Mexico's borders "is not going to happen." She revealed that Trump has repeatedly suggested U.S. military intervention against criminal groups operating in Mexico.
"He has suggested it on various occasions or he has said, 'we offer you a United States military intervention in Mexico, whatever you need to fight the criminal groups,'" Sheinbaum explained during her daily press briefing. "But I have told him on every occasion that we can collaborate, that they can help us with information they have, but that we operate in our territory, that we do not accept any intervention by a foreign government."
The Mexican leader confirmed she delivered the same message directly to both President Trump and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, adding that American officials have understood Mexico's position.
Trump's Stance and Border Confusion
The rejection came in response to comments Trump made Monday expressing frustration with Mexico's efforts to combat drug trafficking. "Would I want strikes in Mexico to stop drugs? OK with me, whatever we have to do to stop drugs," Trump stated, adding that he's "not happy with Mexico."
Meanwhile, a separate incident at the border created additional diplomatic complications. On Monday, witnesses observed men arriving by boat at Playa Bagdad in northeast Mexico, where they installed signs declaring the area restricted U.S. Department of Defense property.
The bilingual signs in English and Spanish read "Warning: Restricted Area" and prohibited unauthorized access, photography, or drawings of the location. Mexico's Navy promptly removed the signage, which appeared to be on Mexican territory near where the Rio Grande meets the Gulf of Mexico.
Sheinbaum revealed that contractors working for a U.S. government entity had placed the signs, noting that the International Boundary and Water Commission is now involved in determining the exact border in the area where the river frequently changes course.
Ongoing Tensions and Environmental Concerns
The diplomatic friction extends beyond military intervention and border incidents. The area near the sign placement is adjacent to the SpaceX Starbase facility in Texas, which operates under contracts with both the Department of Defense and NASA.
In June, Sheinbaum's government launched an investigation into potential contamination from the SpaceX facility after metal, plastic, and rocket debris were found on the Mexican side of the border following a rocket explosion during testing.
Adding to the complex relationship, Mexico has also rejected Trump's proposal to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America, further illustrating the ongoing negotiations between the two nations over sovereignty and cooperation.
The U.S. Embassy in Mexico later shared a video through social media platform X containing previous comments from Secretary of State Rubio affirming that the United States would not take unilateral action in Mexico, attempting to clarify the American position amid the growing diplomatic tensions.
