Mexico warns U.S. against invasion after cartels labeled terrorists

President Sheinbaum vows legal action against U.S. gunmakers amid tensions.

Bullet holes mark a sanctuary in the El Aguaje community following a clash between Los Viagras Cartel and the Jalisco Nueva Generación Cartel (CJNG) in Aguililla, Michoacán, Mexico, on April 23, 2021. Photo by Enrique Castro/AFP

By Clarisa Sendy and Widya Putri

Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum issued a strong warning to the United States on Thursday, stating that her country would never tolerate an “invasion” of its national sovereignty following Washington’s decision to designate drug cartels as terrorist organizations.

Sheinbaum also announced plans to escalate legal action against U.S. gun manufacturers, accusing them of negligence in allowing firearms to fall into the hands of organized crime. The move comes as tensions rise between Mexico and the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, which has ramped up pressure to combat drug trafficking and illegal migration.

U.S. pressure and Mexico’s response

Trump’s administration has threatened sweeping 25-percent tariffs on Mexican imports if the country fails to increase its efforts against narcotics smuggling. In response, Mexico has intensified cooperation in tackling drug cartels while maintaining its stance against U.S. intervention.

The U.S. has designated eight Latin American drug trafficking organizations as terrorist groups, including Mexico’s notorious Jalisco New Generation and Sinaloa cartels. These criminal networks, among the most powerful and violent in the region, are a primary target of Trump’s anti-drug policies.

Sheinbaum, however, made it clear that Mexico will not accept any foreign interference.

“This cannot be an opportunity for the U.S. to invade our sovereignty,” she said during a news conference. “They can call them [cartels] whatever they want, but with Mexico, it is collaboration and coordination—never subordination or interventionism, and even less invasion.”

Legal action against U.S. gunmakers

In addition to rejecting any potential U.S. military actions, Sheinbaum announced plans to expand Mexico’s lawsuits against American firearm manufacturers.

Her government has long accused these companies of negligently allowing weapons to be trafficked into Mexico, fueling the nation’s ongoing drug violence. Now, with cartels designated as terrorist organizations, Sheinbaum suggested the lawsuit could include charges of alleged “complicity” with terrorist groups.

The Mexican government estimates that between 200,000 and 750,000 weapons manufactured in the U.S. are smuggled into the country each year, many of which end up in the hands of criminal organizations. Mexico strictly regulates firearm sales, making legal ownership extremely difficult, yet gun-related violence remains rampant.

Trump’s move raises concerns over military action

Trump signed an executive order last month declaring that Mexican cartels pose a national security threat “beyond that posed by traditional organized crime.”

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reinforced the administration’s stance on Thursday, stating that the new designation “provides law enforcement with additional tools to stop these groups.”

“Terrorist designations play a critical role in our fight against terrorism and are an effective way to curtail support for terrorist activities,” Rubio said in a statement.

While he did not mention military action, speculation has grown over whether the move could justify U.S. strikes against cartel targets. Tech billionaire Elon Musk, who has taken on an advisory role in Trump’s administration, suggested the designation means “they’re eligible for drone strikes.”

U.S. drone surveillance in Mexico

The possibility of military action has raised concerns in Mexico, where resentment toward U.S. interventions remains strong due to historical conflicts, including the loss of half of Mexico’s territory to the U.S. in the 19th century.

On Wednesday, Sheinbaum confirmed that U.S. drones have been conducting surveillance on Mexican cartels for years as part of bilateral cooperation.

According to The New York Times, Washington has recently intensified secret drone operations in Mexico to identify fentanyl production sites. While the CIA has not been authorized to carry out strikes, intelligence gathered from these missions is reportedly shared with Mexican officials.

The covert program, which started under Trump’s predecessor Joe Biden, had not been publicly disclosed until now.

Mexico moves to protect sovereignty

In response to the growing tensions, Sheinbaum announced plans to propose a constitutional reform aimed at strengthening protections against foreign actions that could threaten Mexico’s territorial integrity.

“This reform will ensure that any actions harmful to the integrity, independence, and sovereignty of the nation are addressed accordingly,” she said.

Mexico’s government continues to push back against U.S. policies that it views as overreach, emphasizing that any solutions to drug violence must be built on cooperation rather than unilateral actions from Washington.

Despite diplomatic efforts, cartel-related violence remains a major issue. Since Mexico deployed its military to combat drug trafficking in 2006, around 480,000 people have been killed in related conflicts, according to official figures.

As tensions escalate between the two nations, Sheinbaum’s administration is standing firm, insisting that Mexico will not be pressured into accepting foreign military actions within its borders.

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