Mexico’s President Signals Readiness to Forge Security Deal with U.S.

(MENAFN) Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum signaled her readiness to forge a security agreement with the United States to tackle drug cartels and irregular migration, stressing that any cooperation must rest on mutual respect and “without subordination.”

In her inaugural State of the Union speech on Monday, Sheinbaum addressed reports that former US President Donald Trump had secretly ordered the Pentagon to consider military strikes against cartels on Mexican soil—a move that provoked widespread outrage across Mexico, according to media.

Sheinbaum told lawmakers that the foundation of this agreement rests on shared responsibility, mutual trust, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and cooperation free from any form of subordination.

While underscoring Mexico’s willingness to engage in security and trade negotiations, she noted that both nations are nearing the final stages of a new framework. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to visit Mexico later this week to continue discussions.

This development comes amid escalating tensions, with Trump threatening new tariffs aimed at pressuring Mexico to intensify its crackdown on organized crime and migration.

Last month, Mexico extradited 26 suspected traffickers to the US, including individuals linked to the notorious Sinaloa Cartel.

However, many Mexicans view the prospect of US military action within their borders as a severe breach of sovereignty, evoking memories of the 1846 US invasion that resulted in Mexico losing half its territory.

Sheinbaum now faces the challenging balancing act of discouraging punitive tariffs while firmly pushing back against Trump, whose rhetoric and policies remain deeply unpopular in Mexico.

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