Mexico rules out Trump's reported military plan against drug cartels

August 9, 2025

President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico has firmly rejected the possibility of U.S. military entering Mexican territory, following reports that President Trump signed a secret directive allowing military force against drug cartels on foreign soil. The White House, while not directly addressing the directive, stated that protecting the homeland is Trump's top priority. This development comes after Trump earlier designated eight drug cartels, including six Mexican ones, as terrorist entities.

Who is affected

Mexican drug cartels (particularly six that were designated as terrorist entities)
The Mexican government and its sovereignty
U.S.-Mexico diplomatic relations
Citizens of both countries affected by drug trafficking
Migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border

What action is being taken

Mexico is publicly rejecting any possibility of U.S. military presence on its soil
The U.S. and Mexico are currently collaborating to curb illegal migration and drug flows
The U.S. is implementing new designations for cartels as terrorist organizations
Mexico is working with the U.S. while defending its sovereignty against potential military interventions
Border enforcement is ongoing, resulting in reduced border crossings and fentanyl seizures

Why it matters

This situation concerns national sovereignty issues for Mexico
It represents a significant shift in U.S. policy toward combating drug cartels
The designation of cartels as terrorist entities enables different types of U.S. intervention
The collaborative efforts between the countries have already shown results in reducing border crossings and drug trafficking
It highlights tensions in U.S.-Mexico relations despite public statements about successful collaboration

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC