Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has firmly rejected a proposal from former U.S. President Donald Trump to deploy American troops on Mexican soil, underscoring her commitment to national sovereignty even as diplomatic tensions escalate.

Speaking at her daily press conference, Sheinbaum confirmed that she declined Trump’s offer during a recent phone call. “I told him, ‘No, President Trump, our territory and our sovereignty are inviolable,’” she said. While emphasizing openness to cooperation, she made clear that any form of U.S. military presence is off the table.

Trump later acknowledged making the offer, citing escalating cartel violence and drug trafficking as justification. “The cartels are horrible people… destroying our people,” he said, criticizing Sheinbaum for being “afraid of the cartels.”

Despite the harsh rhetoric, Sheinbaum maintained that dialogue with Trump has remained constructive, noting that bilateral relations are “very good” overall. However, her administration faces a delicate balancing act: managing a strategic alliance with the U.S. while confronting growing pressure over security and trade.

Since taking office, Sheinbaum has reversed her predecessor’s passive approach to organized crime, deploying thousands of troops to the border, extraditing major cartel figures, and intensifying law enforcement operations. Analysts say Trump’s aggressive posture has accelerated Mexico’s anti-cartel efforts, but also risks destabilizing an already complex relationship.

Experts warn that unilateral U.S. military intervention remains a real possibility, however unlikely, and that Mexico must prepare for all outcomes. As tensions mount, Sheinbaum’s leadership will be tested by her ability to defend national integrity without jeopardizing critical cross-border cooperation.