Claudia Sheinbaum, the President of Mexico, has stirred up some controversy by dismissing recent praise from US officials regarding her country’s efforts to combat drug cartels. She stated that this is incorrect and emphasized that her government has imposed strict limits on the activities of foreign agents in Mexico.
This week, Terrence Cole, who leads the US Drug Enforcement Agency, acknowledged Sheinbaum in several interviews, asserting that Mexico was collaborating with US agencies at an unprecedented level.
At a press conference, Sheinbaum was questioned about these statements and denied them, claiming that there hadn’t been any significant changes. Mexican lawmakers have noted that while there is some cooperation, it’s not exactly new. She mentioned that while some US agents are present in Mexico, they must go through the Department of Foreign Affairs and adhere to national security laws. She has previously argued that Mexico ranks among the countries with the strictest regulations for foreign agents.
When queried about the potential for US drone strikes on cartel targets, Sheinbaum firmly stated that such actions would not occur and that Mexico is fully prepared to defend itself if necessary.
“Mexico is a free, independent, sovereign country,” she asserted. “Foreign governments do not dare to violate our sovereignty. This is the same as before. Mexico is very strong.”
Sheinbaum referenced the national anthem, expressing that every Mexican is, in a sense, a soldier ready to fight for their country.
The remarks from the Mexican president come amid ongoing discussions between her administration and the DEA. As mentioned earlier this week, the DEA plans to launch a new initiative called GateKeeper, aiming to collaborate closely with Mexican authorities to pinpoint key cartel members. However, just a day after this announcement, Sheinbaum summoned DEA officials to clarify that no agreement existed between her government and the agency.
Sheinbaum has found herself at the center of multiple controversies recently, particularly as the previous Trump administration threatened tariffs on Mexico, accusing it of not doing enough to combat drug-related issues. The White House had criticized the Mexican government for its perceived close ties with drug cartels, contributing to the fentanyl crisis. In light of these tensions, Sheinbaum has been working to appease President Trump, hoping to avoid economic penalties.
