Claudia Sheinbaum Turns Down Trump Proposal, Sparking Response

In a significant diplomatic development, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has firmly rejected a proposal from US President Donald Trump to deploy American troops in Mexico, citing sovereignty concerns.

Quick Takes

President Trump proposed deploying US troops in Mexico to combat cartels.
Claudia Sheinbaum emphasized Mexican sovereignty, rejecting US military presence.
Trump criticized Sheinbaum, suggesting fear of cartels influenced her decision.
The US increases surveillance and troops at its southern border.

Claudia Sheinbaum Rejects Troop Proposal

President Donald Trump recently proposed to President Claudia Sheinbaum the use of US troops in Mexico to assist in combating drug cartels. Sheinbaum rejected the proposal, indicating that accepting US military intervention in Mexico would compromise the nation’s sovereignty. In a public statement, she asserted that when she received the offer, she said, “No, President Trump, our territory is inviolable, our sovereignty is inviolable, our sovereignty is not for sale.”

Sheinbaum expressed that the matter was non-negotiable, stating, “We will never accept the presence of the United States army in our territory.”

Trump, responding to Sheinbaum’s rejection, criticized her decision, suggesting that fear of the cartels influenced her stance. He said she is “so afraid of the cartels that she can’t even think straight.” Trump had designated numerous cartels as “foreign terrorist organizations,” a move aimed at escalating law enforcement actions against them.

'She can't even think straight': #Trump blasts Mexico's #Sheinbaum for rejecting offer to send US troops into Mexico to fight cartelshttps://t.co/KiIJ1JGnDl

— Economic Times (@EconomicTimes) May 6, 2025

Heightened Tensions and Security Measures

The disagreement over military intervention comes amid increased US military presence at the southern border. Additional troops and high-tech surveillance equipment have been deployed to monitor illegal drug trafficking. Trump has been vocal about wanting stricter borders, citing threats from drug cartels contributing to the fentanyl crisis in the US.

Sheinbaum has noted that despite her aversion to the idea of military intervention, she is open to collaboration and information sharing. She has also reportedly called for Trump to address weapon smuggling from the US to Mexico. Trump ordered a halt on weapons entering Mexico from the US, acknowledging the negative impact US arms have had in fueling cartel violence in Mexico.

Impact on US-Mexico Relations

It is still unclear how these developments might impact relations between the countries. According to The Wall Street Journal, Trump “pushed to have US armed forces take a leading role in battling Mexican drug gangs that produce and smuggle fentanyl to the US” during a call last month, but Sheinbaum did not express openness to the idea. The outlet noted this led to increased tensions between the leaders.