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

“It’s not going to happen,” Sheinbaum declared during her regular press briefing on Tuesday. “We do not agree to any form of interventionism or interventionism.”

Context on the Allegations

Sheinbaum's comments come after a news story citing current and former US officials that the Trump administration has initiated preparations for a operation to send American military personnel and intelligence officers into Mexico.

The report suggested that although the operation was not immediate and no final decision had been reached, the initial phases of preparation had commenced along with discussions about the extent of the operation.

Furthermore, the account stated that American forces would function under the authority of the US intelligence community, and that officers from the Central Intelligence Agency would also participate.

Mexico's Response

But Sheinbaum was adamant that her country had “lack of details” about such a proposed intervention, although she acknowledged that in phone calls with Trump, he had offered to send troops and other assistance to confront criminal groups.

“I have repeatedly stated my gratitude, President Trump. But absolutely not, our country is a free, independent and sovereign country,” the President declared.

Past Collaboration and Present Tensions

Mexico and the US have historically worked together in addressing cartels, with the US at times dispatching CIA, military and Drug Enforcement Administration operatives to assist the country's efforts to combat organized crime.

But the incursion of American military into Mexico to engage with the cartels, especially without the nation's consent, would be an unprecedented step that would likely damage an fragile partnership between the two countries.

Recent Measures and Understandings

The Trump administration has designated addressing criminal organizations a central pillar of its international strategy: in last winter, Washington designated multiple drug cartels as terrorist groups.

It has also initiated a series of attacks against alleged drug-trafficking boats, most recently targeting ships in the Pacific Ocean that killed multiple suspects in recent weeks.

While authorities rescued a survivor from the attack, Sheinbaum condemned the actions and ordered representatives from her administration to address them with the American envoy to Mexico.

On Tuesday, Sheinbaum also highlighted that the country had reached a cooperation pact with the United States that was negotiated over an extended period.

“We will proceed within this framework of understanding, which has defined guidelines … which honors our sovereignty and our territorial integrity.”

Sheinbaum's Position on Anti-Narcotics Approach

The Mexican president has also seemed cooler on military-focused drug combat strategies than her preceding leaders: on Monday, she dismissed any changes to the country’s security strategy despite the recent brutal killing of a mayor in western Mexico.

“Some are calling for militarization and armed conflict, as happened with the anti-drug campaign,” she said. “That didn’t work.”