Trump Criticizes Mexico’s Refusal of U.S. Military Help Against Drug Cartels

 

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum says cooperation with the United States will continue — but without foreign military intervention.

WASHINGTON / MEXICO CITY — President Donald Trump on Friday renewed his criticism of Mexico’s decision to reject U.S. military assistance in combating powerful drug cartels operating inside the country.

Speaking to reporters before boarding Air Force One in Florida, Trump said he had offered to help Mexico “wipe out” the criminal organizations that traffic drugs and fuel violence across North America. According to the president, Mexican leader Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo declined the proposal.

“I offered to take care of the cartels in Mexico, and for some reason she doesn’t want to do that,” Trump said. “I like her very much, but she should deal with the cartels because, whether we like it or not, the cartels are controlling parts of Mexico — and we can’t allow that.”

The remarks, reported by Fox News, come amid ongoing tensions between Washington and Mexico City over how to confront transnational criminal organizations responsible for drug trafficking, including fentanyl shipments entering the United States.

The issue gained additional attention after Trump reposted a message on his social media platform, Truth Social, criticizing Mexico’s refusal to accept U.S. military involvement in anti-cartel operations. The post included a video clip of Sheinbaum confirming that Mexico had rejected a direct offer of intervention from the United States.

“Yes, we said no — proudly,” Sheinbaum says in the clip.

The post also questioned the decision, suggesting that refusing outside help raised concerns about the Mexican government’s willingness to confront organized crime.

Later Friday, Sheinbaum responded to the controversy by reaffirming that Mexico remains open to cooperation with the United States on security matters, but stressed that any collaboration must respect Mexico’s national sovereignty.

“We will continue to work with the United States on security coordination and intelligence sharing,” she said, “but always with full respect for Mexico’s sovereignty.”

The exchange underscores the ongoing debate between the two neighboring nations over the best strategy to dismantle drug cartels whose operations affect both sides of the border.