Mexico says won’t accept US ‘invasion’ in fight against cartels
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President Claudia Sheinbaum said she would propose a constitutional reform aimed at protecting Mexico's national sovereignty.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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MEXICO CITY - Mexico will never tolerate an “invasion” of its national sovereignty by the United States, President Claudia Sheinbaum warned on Feb 20, after Washington designated Mexican cartels as terrorist organisations.
“This cannot be an opportunity for the US to invade our sovereignty,” she said.
“With Mexico, it is collaboration and coordination, never subordination or interventionism, and even less invasion.”
She said Mexico would expand its legal action against US gun manufacturers, which her government accuse of negligence in the sale of weapons that end up in the hands of drug traffickers. The lawsuit could lead to a new charge of alleged complicity with terrorist groups, Ms Sheinbaum said.
She also said that she will propose a constitutional reform aimed at protecting Mexico's national sovereignty, and said her government had not been consulted by the US in its decision to designate Mexican cartels as terrorist organisations.
US President Donald Trump’s decision targeting eight Latin American drug trafficking groups - including several Mexican cartels - is the latest step in his intensifying crackdown on gang members.
Mr Trump signed an executive order on his first day back in the White House saying that the cartels “constitute a national-security threat beyond that posed by traditional organised crime.”
The move has raised speculation about possible military action.
Tech billionaire Elon Musk, who has been given a prominent role in the Trump administration, suggested the designation “means they’re eligible for drone strikes.” AFP, REUTERS
