By Ricardo Lezama 
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum delivered a firm rebuke to U.S. President Donald Trump this Cinco de Mayo weekend, rejecting a proposal to allow American troops to cross into Mexico to combat drug trafficking. Speaking at a university opening on Saturday, Sheinbaum revealed details of a phone call in which Trump proposed direct military intervention. Her response was unequivocal.
“We can collaborate, we can work together, but you in your territory, we in ours,” she declared. “We can share information, but we will never accept the presence of the U.S. Army in our territory.”
Her remarks followed a report from The Wall Street Journal indicating that Trump had pressured Sheinbaum during their conversation to let U.S. forces take the lead in fighting Mexican drug gangs. While Sheinbaum maintained a tone of diplomatic firmness, her message reflected growing concern over foreign encroachment and the political tone being set by the revived Trump administration.
Trump’s Heavy-Handed Strategy
Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has revived his hardline stance toward America’s southern neighbors. He’s reimposed tariffs on Mexican and Canadian goods, attempting to leverage economic pressure to force cooperation on migration and drug enforcement. Trump has pointed to the ongoing fentanyl crisis as justification for more aggressive tactics, including possible U.S. military operations inside Mexican territory.
The National Security Council offered a statement in defense of the approach, albeit anonymously:
“The president has been crystal clear that Mexico must do more to combat these gangs and cartels, and the United States stands ready to assist and expand the already close cooperation between our two countries.”
Despite this, Sheinbaum’s response signals that Mexico will resist any attempts to cross the line from cooperation into occupation.
Diplomatic Tug-of-War
Behind the scenes, Sheinbaum is reportedly pursuing a broader diplomatic agenda with Trump, seeking to roll back the tariffs that have disrupted trade since January. However, her administration appears equally committed to upholding national sovereignty—even at the cost of heightened tension with Washington.
So far, the White House has declined to comment publicly on Sheinbaum’s rejection.
A Sovereign Stand
In rejecting Trump’s proposal, Sheinbaum joins a long-standing tradition of Mexican leaders defending national territory from foreign military involvement. Her stance is a calculated risk—prioritizing dignity and autonomy over the short-term optics of “cooperation” defined on U.S. terms.
As migration and drug policy again dominate U.S.–Mexico relations, Sheinbaum’s message is unmistakable:
Mexico will cooperate, but not capitulate.