The Government of Mexico, in a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday, declared that it “will not accept the presence of United States military forces on its territory.” This came in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s position advocating the deployment of troops against drug cartels in Latin America to “protect” the United States—a move that would represent a significant escalation in the war on fentanyl.

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Meanwhile, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson issued a statement later affirming that they will continue “working collaboratively with the government of President Claudia Sheinbaum to confront this threat with the seriousness it requires.”

Johnson emphasized that “this is not about the United States acting alone. It’s about building a joint and unbreakable front with Mexico to protect our citizens, dismantle cartel networks, and ensure that the only people who should fear for their future are those profiting from murder, addiction, and chaos.”

In response, Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) stated that both countries “agree that collaboration between our nations occurs with unrestricted respect for our sovereignties.” The institution stressed that “each country must work within its own borders to address the causes that lead to addictions and the violence derived from illegal drug and arms trafficking.” Additionally, the ministry said cooperation between both nations “is based on principles of mutual trust, shared responsibility, sovereign equality, respect for territorial integrity, and cooperation without subordination.”

The SRE explained that Mexico has a National Security Strategy to build peace with justice by addressing the structural causes of violence and working toward zero impunity.

On Friday, in her daily press conference, President Sheinbaum stated firmly that the U.S. will not “invade” Mexican territory with troops, after the New York Times reported that Trump planned to sign a secret order instructing the Pentagon to use military force against drug cartels in Latin America.

Since returning to the White House, the U.S. President has sought to fight fentanyl trafficking in the U.S., which he alleges is mainly produced by Mexican cartels using Chinese products.

Trump considers six major cartels as terrorist organizations since February: the Sinaloa Cartel, Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), Northeast Cartel, Gulf Cartel, United Cartels, and the New Mexican Family.

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