Sheinbaum rejects US claim that Mexico’s government is linked to cartels

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum dismissed allegations from the United States Drug Enforcement Administration linking her government to criminal cartels, characterizing the claims as politically motivated rather than evidence-based. During her daily news conference, Sheinbaum suggested the DEA should focus on combating drug trafficking, distribution, and money laundering within the United States, noting that America remains the world's largest market for illicit drugs. The DEA Administrator had stated the Mexican government and cartel networks were "one and the same," a claim the Mexican government rejected while reaffirming its commitment to collaborate with the US on crime prevention provided its sovereignty was respected. Sheinbaum has repeatedly faced pressure from US President Donald Trump to intensify crackdowns on criminal organizations, with several Trump administration officials echoing cartel-related accusations. The Mexican government responded by emphasizing its ongoing efforts to work with the US against cartels. Since Trump's second term began, Sheinbaum has increasingly criticized the Trump administration while pledging cooperation. She has firmly rejected the prospect of US military operations on Mexican soil without federal government consent. Initial warm relations between the leaders have cooled, with Sheinbaum previously rebuking the US for indicting Sinaloa Governor Ruben Rocha over alleged cartel connections, arguing such matters are domestic issues requiring evidence. Mexico recently filed criminal complaints with US prosecutors regarding deaths of Mexican nationals in Trump's mass deportation campaign. Sheinbaum's remarks coincided with the US Treasury designating two additional Mexican criminal organizations—the Juarez Cartel and Los Viagras—as foreign terrorist organizations, reflecting the Trump administration's framing of Latin American actions as counterterrorism operations.