Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has confirmed that she turned down an offer from former President Donald Trump to deploy U.S. military forces to help combat drug trafficking and violent cartels in Mexico.
Responding to a Wall Street Journal report on Friday detailing the offer, Sheinbaum said, “It’s true.” According to the report, Trump asked her during a phone call, “How can we help you fight drug trafficking?”
Sheinbaum made it clear that while Mexico is open to cooperation, it will not permit U.S. military forces on its soil.
“No, President Trump, our territory is inalienable, sovereignty is inalienable,” Sheinbaum said. “We can collaborate. We can work together, but with you in your territory and us in ours. We can share information, but we will never accept the presence of the United States Army on our territory.”
In a statement provided to Fox News Digital on Saturday, White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly emphasized that the Trump administration has maintained a strong working relationship with Mexico on border security.
“President Trump has worked with President Sheinbaum to advance border security collaboration with Mexico to the highest levels ever,” Kelly stated. “This robust cooperation and information sharing is delivering tangible results, including the removal of numerous cartel leaders to the U.S. to face justice and creating the most secure border in history.”
During his time in office, Trump has continued to authorize CIA drone surveillance flights over Mexico in coordination with the Mexican government. He also formally designated Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.
However, Kelly stressed that more action is needed on Mexico’s part to protect Americans from the cartels’ violence and drug smuggling.
“We will continue exploring ways to enhance our efforts across the region to dismantle these transnational criminal organizations,” she added. “We will make America safe again.”
In January, the Heritage Foundation—one of the most influential conservative think tanks—released a report outlining potential military responses to the border crisis under Trump. The report noted that cartel activity is expanding, illegal immigration and drug trafficking are increasing, and U.S.-Mexico cooperation has weakened.
While the Foundation acknowledged that direct U.S. military action should be a last resort, it argued that joint operations with Mexico—or even unilateral action—might be necessary if the Mexican government resists cooperation.
The report predicted that Sheinbaum, elected in 2024, was unlikely to shift Mexico’s stance on resisting foreign military involvement, even as cartel violence escalates.
