Mexico rejects US offer to deploy troops within its territory to combat drug cartels

Mexico has declined an offer from President Trump to deploy American troops into Mexican territory

While speaking to supporters over the weekend, Mexican President Claudia Shanebum shared details

of what the Wall Street Journal has described as a tense phone call between her and Trump

Shanebum says Trump offered to send American and military personnel to Mexico as part of an effort

to combat drug trafficking in the country. However, Shane Bum asserts she rejected the proposal

claiming to have told Trump, quote, sovereignty is not for sale. Sovereignty is loved and defended

The White House National Security Council responded in a statement released later Saturday

Spokesman James Hewitt said Trump has worked closely with Mexico's president to, quote

achieve the most secure southwest border in history, but went on to claim dangerous foreign terrorist organizations

continue to threaten this shared security, and Trump has, quote, been crystal clear that Mexico

must do more to combat these gangs and cartels, and the United States stands ready to assist

Meanwhile Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday it was true he had offered to send U troops to Mexico and criticize Sheinbaum for rejecting the proposal accusing her of being quote afraid of the cartels

The president of Mexico is a lovely woman, but she is so afraid of the cartels that she can't even think straight

In recent months, the U.S. military has increased its presence along the southern border following an executive order issued by Trump in January

This including the deployment of additional troops and equipment, surveillance operations targeting fentanyl trafficking

and expanded cooperation between U.S. Special Forces and Mexican security forces. On February 19th, Trump also designated several drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations

a move which imposed restrictions on those groups and granted U.S. law enforcement broader authority to police their activities

While there has been cooperation between the two countries in taking action against illegal drug trade

Mexico's government appears adamantly opposed to allowing a U.S. military presence within its borders

with Shea Bum saying, quote, For Straight Arrow News, I'm Kaylee Carey