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Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced on Thursday her plan to propose a constitutional reform aimed at further safeguarding Mexico’s national sovereignty. This move follows the US designation of various Mexican drug cartels, including the Sinaloa Cartel, as foreign terrorist organisations.
“The Mexican people will under no circumstances accept interventions, intrusions, or any other action from abroad that are detrimental to the integrity, independence, or sovereignty of the nation… (including) violations of Mexican territory, whether by land, sea, or air,” Sheinbaum stated during her regular morning news conference.
The US decision, made on Wednesday, has sparked concern among Mexican officials that President Donald Trump, who repeatedly floated the idea during his campaign, may be preparing to take unilateral military action inside Mexico. Sheinbaum emphasised that Mexico was not consulted about the designation, which the country has long opposed.
Mexican authorities argue that the cartels are primarily profit-driven rather than politically motivated, making them distinct from other groups on the US terror list. The designation could complicate international business relations, particularly affecting US companies operating in Mexico. Additionally, it may impact US asylum cases, as migrants coerced into paying extortion or ransoms to cartels could potentially be accused of supporting terrorism.
In addition to the sovereignty-focused constitutional reform, Sheinbaum announced a second proposal aimed at imposing stricter penalties on both Mexicans and foreigners involved in arms trafficking. Mexico has been vocal about the issue, as the majority of firearms used in crimes within the country originate from the United States.
These legislative moves signal Mexico’s firm stance on maintaining its national sovereignty and addressing cross-border crime without foreign intervention.
Melissa Enoch
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