West Palm Beach, Florida (AP) – President Donald Trump said on Sunday President Claudia Sheinbaum rejected her proposal to send us troops to Mexico to help thwart the illegal drug trade because she is afraid of powerful cartels in the country.
Trump's comments one day came after Sheinbaum confirmed that Trump pressed her During a call last month to accept a more important role for the American army in the fight against drug cartels in Mexico.
Trump said he was “true” that he had proposed to send the troops to Mexico and unleashed himself in Sheinbaum for rejected the idea.
“Well, she is so afraid of the cartels that she cannot walk, so you know that is the reason,” said Trump in comments to journalists aboard the Air Force One on Sunday. “And I think she is a charming woman. The president of Mexico is a charming woman, but she is so afraid of cartels that she cannot even think directly.”
The American military presence along the southern border with Mexico has increased regularly in recent months, following Trump's order in January to increase the role of the army in the debit of migrants.
The command of the North American has Troops and equipment increased on the borderIncreased inhabited surveillance flights to monitor fentanyl traffic along the border and asked for an extended authority for American special forces to work closely with Mexican forces conducting operations against cartels.
But Sheinbaum said that the American troops operating inside Mexico were going too far.
“He said,” How can we help you fight drug trafficking? ” I propose that the American army enters and helps you. And you know what I told him? “No, President Trump,” she said on Saturday. “Sovereignty is not for sale. Sovereignty is loved and defended. “
She added that she had told Trump that their two countries “can work together, but you in your territory and us in ours”.
Trump in February designated As “foreign terrorist organizations” many gangs and cartels pass drugs in the United States ,, Restress their movements and lend more resources to the police to act against them.
But Sheinbaum's position – and Trump's response – suggest that American pressure for unilateral military intervention could create tensions between the two leaders After cooperation On immigration and trade at the start of Trump's second term.
Trump said the American army is necessary to stem the scourge of fentanyl in the United States.
“This is bad news,” said Trump about cartels. “If Mexico wanted help with the cartels, we would be honored to enter and do it. I told him that. I would be honored to go and do it. Cartels are trying to destroy our country. ”
The White House has also linked its efforts to reduce the fentanyl flow to Trump pricing plansaying he wanted to keep Mexico, Canada and China responsible for stimulating drug flow in the United States
