The U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, assured this Tuesday that the government of Donald Trump will not undertake any unilateral military action in Mexico, despite recent statements from the U.S. president, who expressed feeling "proud" of the possibility of attacking drug facilities in Mexico and Colombia.
"We are not going to take unilateral action or send U.S. forces to Mexico, but we can help them with equipment, training, and sharing intelligence. There are many things we could do if they ask, but they have to ask for it," Rubio specified in an audio shared on X (previously Twitter) by the U.S. Embassy in Mexico.
The words of the head of U.S. diplomacy come after Trump stated that he would be willing to "attack within Mexico and Colombia" to stop the drug trafficking into the United States. According to CNN, Trump expressed that he would be "proud to do it" because —he said— "they are killing our people."
The statement from the Republican president prompted an immediate response from the Mexican Government. President Claudia Sheinbaum categorically rejected any possibility of foreign military intervention, reminding that bilateral cooperation must be based on "respect for sovereignty and coordination without subordination."
"We can collaborate, they can assist us with information, but we operate in our own territory. We do not accept interventions from any foreign government," emphasized Sheinbaum during her morning conference, according to EFE.
Rubio, who recently visited Mexico City, insisted that cooperation on security matters between the two countries "must remain bilateral and based on explicit request." He also emphasized that Washington is willing to strengthen the training of Mexican forces and the exchange of intelligence against the cartels.
Tensions between the two countries arise in a context of increasing political pressure in Washington, where conservative factions are demanding a "stronger" response to drug trafficking. Since September, the U.S. military has destroyed vessels in the Caribbean and the Pacific that, according to the Pentagon, were transporting drugs from South America, operations that have already resulted in over 70 deaths classified as "narcoterrorists."
While Trump maintains a belligerent tone, Rubio tries to clarify his statements and reiterate that any U.S. action will ultimately depend on the consent of the Mexican government.
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