Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she instructed the foreign ministry to strengthen communications with its U.S. counterpart after President Donald Trump’s threat to “start hitting land with regards to the cartels.”
Speaking during her daily press conference, Sheinbaum said she told Foreign Minister Juan Ramon de la Fuente to get in touch with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and, “should it be necessary” request a phone call with Trump.
In another passage of the conference, Sheinbaum said she spoke with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and told him Mexico has an understanding with Trump when it comes to security, but noted that the threats are part of “his way of communication.
Trump reiterated that he intends to order military actions in the country, telling Fox News that his administration is set to start “hitting land with regards to the cartels.”
“Cartels are running Mexico, it’s very sad to watch,” Trump said in an interview with Fox News.
Sheinbaum has repeatedly dismissed any chances of such a scenario taking place, recently telling Bloomberg “I don’t believe in an invasion; I don’t think it’s something they take seriously.”
She went on to say that Trump has repeatedly requested U.S. military forces be allowed into Mexico, and she has always rejected the possibility.
In November she had also reiterated that a U.S. military in the country is “ruled out,” highlighting an “agreement” between the two nations.
Sheinbaum said during one of her daily press conferences that the agreement “guarantees the sovereignty” of Mexico “even if there are some political figures in the country asking” for a U.S. intervention.
Shortly after, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that even though Mexico has made “historic strides” in cracking down on cartels, Turmp is “very interested in taking additional measures” against criminal organizations.
Speaking during a briefing at the White House, Leavitt emphasized that the Sheinbaum administration has been “incredibly cooperative with the president’s efforts at the southern border to crack down on illegal immigration and drug trafficking.”
However, she added, Trump is looking at potential additional measures. “His national security team is discussing options all the time,” and “additional options are at his disposal.”
Originally published on Latin Times
