On May 4th, US President Donald Trump confirmed that he did “indeed” suggest to Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum to send US troops to assist Mexico in combating illegal drug trafficking. He stated that Sheinbaum rejected his proposal out of fear of the powerful drug cartels in the country.
President Trump, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, expressed, “She is so afraid of the drug cartels that she cannot act. She is a lovely person, the Mexican President is a lovely person, but she is so afraid of the drug cartels that she cannot think straight.”
He emphasized the need for the US military to help stop the spread of fentanyl in the United States.
“If Mexico wants us to help fight the drug cartels, we are honored to help. I have told her that I am honored to help. The drug cartels are trying to destroy our country,” he added.
Sheinbaum confirmed on May 3rd that Trump had urged her last month during a call to accept his proposal, allowing the US military to play a greater role in combating Mexican drug cartels.
Sheinbaum stated that the proposal to allow the US military into Mexico was excessive.
Recalling her conversation with Trump, she told him, “Sovereignty cannot be sold, sovereignty is something we must cherish and defend,” emphasizing that cooperation is possible between the two nations but within their respective territories.
However, President Trump’s resolve to combat cross-border drug trafficking seems unwavering.
In February this year, the Trump administration designated many gangs and drug cartels smuggling drugs into the US as “foreign terrorist organizations,” restricting their activities and providing law enforcement agencies with more resources to combat these organizations.
In recent months, military operations along the southern border of the US, which borders Mexico, have steadily increased in line with Trump’s January order to deploy more troops to play a greater role in stemming the migration surge.
The US Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) has deployed additional troops and equipment to the US-Mexico border, including manned aircraft for surveillance missions to monitor fentanyl smuggling activities in the border areas. The US has also expanded the authority of its special forces to closely cooperate with Mexican forces in combating drug cartels.
Efforts to prevent and reduce the flow of fentanyl into the US are linked to the US tariff policy, with the White House urging Mexico, Canada, and China to take responsibility to stop drug flow into the US.
【This article referenced reports from the Associated Press】