Mexico’s President warned the United States that her country would never tolerate an “invasion” of its national sovereignty. She also vowed to take legal action again against U.S. firearm manufacturers after Washington declared cartels terrorist organizations.
The remarks were part of a series of rebuttals to the Trump administration, which has increased pressure on Mexico’s southern neighbor to stop illegal drug flows and migration.
Mexico is attempting to avoid the 25% tariffs that Trump has threatened by increasing its cooperation in the fight against the drug cartels. Mexican cartels like the Jalisco New Generation or Sinaloa are two of the most violent and powerful criminal groups in the country.
At a press conference, President Claudia Sheinbaum said that the U.S. could not use the designation to infringe on our sovereignty. “They [the cartels] can call them whatever they want. But with Mexico, there is collaboration and coordination and never subordination, interventionism or invasion.”
Sheinbaum stated that Mexico will expand its legal actions against U.S. firearm manufacturers. Her government accuses them of negligence when it comes to the sale of guns which end up in drug traffickers’ hands. She said that the lawsuit could lead to new charges of “complicity” alleged with terrorist groups.
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Trump signed an Executive Order on his first day in the White House, last month. He said that cartels “constitute a national security threat beyond that of traditional organized crime.”
Marco Rubio, Secretary of State, said on Thursday that these designations “give law enforcement additional tools to combat these groups.”
He said that terrorist designations are important in the fight against terrorism. They also help to curb support for terrorist activity. Although he didn’t mention it, speculation has risen about possible military actions against cartels.
Elon Musk, the tech billionaire who is a key player in the Trump Administration, said that the designation meant “they’re eligible for targeted drone strikes.”
Sheinbaum confirmed on Wednesday that the United States has been using drones to spy on Mexican cartels for years as part of an ongoing collaboration.
The New York Times reports that Washington has increased secret drone flights in Mexico to search for fentanyl laboratories as part of Trump’s campaign against the drug cartels.
The United States military threats always caused resentment among Mexicans, who lost half their territory to the United States during the 19th century.
Sheinbaum stated that she will present to Congress a reform of the Constitution to protect the “integrity, independence and sovereignty of the Nation”, including the protection of its land, air, or sea territory from invasion.
Canada, which is also threatened with 25% tariffs by Trump for the flow of migrants and drugs into the United States, joined the United States on Thursday in describing seven drug cartels as “terrorist organizations.”
Canada sanctioned the Gulf Cartel as well as the Sinaloa Cartel and the Michoacan Family. Other groups included MS-13, TdA, MS-13 Family, United Cartels, and Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
Mexico Adjusting Strategy
Mexico claims that between 200,000 to 750,000 guns manufactured by U.S. firearm manufacturers are smuggled into Mexico from the United States each year. These weapons are often used in crimes.
The Latin American nation tightly controls the sale of firearms, making it virtually impossible to legally obtain them. According to official statistics, since 2006, the Mexican government has deployed its army to combat drug trafficking.
Sheinbaum, who has refused to declare “war” against drug cartels and has instead opted for a “hugs, not bullets” approach, has dropped the strategy of her predecessor, which placed greater emphasis on tackling criminal violence’s root causes than security operations.
In exchange for Trump’s suspension of tariffs for a month, her government announced several major drug seizures and sent more troops to the United States border. Mexican authorities announced this week the arrest of two prominent Sinaloa Cartel members, including the chief of security of one of its warring groups.