President Claudia Sheinbaum again put limits on how far U.S. agencies should go in Mexican security work, saying cooperation can continue without giving foreign officials an operational role inside Mexico. Her comments come as security coordination with the United States remains politically sensitive, especially after recent questions over foreign agency activity and Mexico’s sovereignty rules.
Sheinbaum rejects direct U.S. role in security operations
President Claudia Sheinbaum said U.S. agencies should not directly participate in security operations inside Mexico, arguing that cooperation must not become foreign control over Mexican decisions.
Speaking during her morning press conference on Wednesday, May 20, Sheinbaum said Mexico can coordinate with the United States through meetings, agreements, and information sharing. But she said foreign agencies should not carry out duties that belong to Mexican authorities.
Her comments framed the issue as one of sovereignty rather than a rejection of all cooperation with Washington. Sheinbaum said the two governments can work together while each side acts from its own territory and within its own legal limits.
Cooperation without subordination
Sheinbaum compared the issue to allowing someone into a home for a conversation, rather than letting that person take control of the house. She used the example to argue that cooperation should not give foreign officials command over Mexican security work.
The president said U.S. agencies may share intelligence and participate in coordination channels. She said that is different from taking part in field operations, giving orders, or assuming functions reserved for Mexican institutions.
The comments follow a recurring position from her administration: Mexico can cooperate with the United States on organized crime, drugs, and cross-border security, but the work must be handled under Mexican law.
The Calderón years remain part of the argument
Sheinbaum also linked the issue to the security strategy used during the administration of former President Felipe Calderón, who governed from 2006 to 2012.
She said the “war on drugs” approach increased violence and opened more space for U.S. agency involvement in Mexican security matters. In her view, that model failed to build peace and instead deepened conflict.
The president contrasted that period with her own administration’s position, which she described as coordination without foreign intervention. She said the debate is about who makes decisions inside Mexico.
Rules for foreign agents remain sensitive
The role of foreign agents has been a recurring point of tension in Mexico’s security relationship with the United States.
Mexican law places limits on what foreign agents may do in the country. Foreign officials may be authorized to exchange information under cooperation agreements, but they cannot exercise powers reserved to Mexican authorities.
Cooperation between Mexico and the United States can affect extraditions, organized crime investigations, drug enforcement, and border policy. But Sheinbaum’s message was that operational control should remain with Mexican institutions.
