Any US Military Action in Mexico Unacceptable: Foreign Ministry

This article by Arturo Sánchez Jiménez appeared in the August 9, 2025 edition of La Jornada, Mexico’s premier left wing daily newspaper.

Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) made it clear yesterday that the government of President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo will not allow the participation of U.S. armed forces in operations within Mexican territory, emphasizing that bilateral collaboration on security matters will always be carried out with unrestricted respect for national sovereignty.

The Foreign Ministry’s position was issued in response to statements made hours earlier by the United States ambassador to Mexico, retired Colonel Ronald Johnson, who affirmed that both countries are united as sovereign allies in confronting criminal cartels.

In its seven-point statement, the Foreign Ministry maintained that collaboration with the United States is based on principles such as mutual trust, shared responsibility, sovereign equality, respect for territorial integrity, and cooperation without subordination.

“Everyone in their own country must work to address the root causes of addiction and violence stemming from illegal drug and arms trafficking,” the agency stated, noting that Mexico has a national security strategy that seeks to build peace with justice by addressing structural causes and combating impunity.

The Foreign Ministry reiterated that combating illicit drug and arms trafficking is essential to reducing violence on both sides of the border, and that the best way to achieve this is through bilateral dialogue and coordination, always respecting the laws and sovereignty of each country.

“For months, we have been working on a security agreement based on these principles: collaboration and respect for sovereignty,” the text noted.

The Foreign Ministry was emphatic: Mexico would not accept the participation of U.S. military forces in our territory, emphasizing that any action against organized crime must be carried out by national authorities, with international support and cooperation, but without a foreign military presence.