Claudia Sheinbaum, President of Mexico Photo: Carlos Santiago / Zuma Press
Washington recognises drug cartels as terrorists – Mexico City responds
On Thursday, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum made a strong statement regarding the latest moves by the Donald Trump administration to declare Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organisations.
“The United States can call them whatever they want, but for Mexico, cooperation and coordination are important, not subordination or interference. We will never tolerate an invasion of our sovereignty,” Sheinbaum said.
Such a decision by the US could give rise to military intervention, as the fight against terrorism allows Washington to act without the consent of the Mexican authorities.
Mexico sues US arms manufacturers
In response, Mexico announced that it would step up legal action against US arms manufacturers, which it accuses of supplying cartels with arsenals.
Every year, between 200,000 and 750,000 US weapons are smuggled into Mexico. The country has strict controls over the sale of firearms, but the cartels get them from the United States.
The president hinted that she might press charges of arms manufacturers’ cooperation with terrorist groups, which would radically change the tone of relations between the two countries.
Trump threatens cartel strikes – Mexico takes action
The US authorities have also stepped up the use of drones to track fentanyl laboratories in Mexico.
Elon Musk, who has become an adviser to the Trump administration, has already stated that the cartels’ new status as terrorist groups means that they can be targeted by drones.
Mexico has strongly opposed such a policy and intends to introduce a constitutional reform to the parliament that will protect the country from possible US actions that could threaten its sovereignty.
