Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has said she turned down a request from United States President Donald Trump to allow American troops into Mexico to fight drug cartels.
Speaking on Saturday during a public event in eastern Mexico, Sheinbaum confirmed that Trump made the proposal during a phone call last month. She said the U.S. leader wanted to send troops to help fight drug trafficking, but she refused.
“He said, ‘How can we help you fight drug trafficking? I propose that the United States military come in and help you.’ And you know what I said to him? ‘No, President Trump,’” Sheinbaum told supporters.
She made it clear that Mexico would not give up its independence. “Sovereignty is not for sale. Sovereignty is loved and defended,” she said.
Her comment came one day after the *Wall Street Journal* reported details of the phone call, which it described as tense. The report also said Trump had been putting pressure on Sheinbaum to accept more involvement from the U.S. military in fighting Mexican drug gangs.
Responding to the issue, White House National Security Council spokesman James Hewitt said Trump had worked closely with Mexico to secure the U.S.-Mexico border.
“Dangerous Foreign Terrorist Organizations continue to threaten our shared security,” Hewitt said in a statement. “The President has been crystal clear that Mexico must do more to combat these gangs and cartels.”
He added that the U.S. was ready to increase cooperation with Mexico.
Earlier this year, Trump ordered the U.S. military to expand its role at the southern border to stop the flow of migrants and drugs. More troops and surveillance equipment have since been deployed.
In February, Trump also labelled several cartels as foreign terrorist groups, giving U.S. agencies more power to act against them.
However, President Sheinbaum’s firm response on Saturday showed that Mexico is not willing to accept direct foreign military action on its soil.
“We can work together, but you in your territory and us in ours,” she said.
