Claudia Sheinbaum Rejects U.S. Strikes On Its Soil: 'No Foreign Government Can Violate Mexico's Sovereignty'

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum once again rejected the idea of any U.S. military intervention in Mexico aimed at fighting drug cartels.

During her daily press conference on Friday, Sheinbaum was asked about recent remarks by Drug Enforcement Administration Administrator Terry Cole, who told Fox News that the decision to bomb Mexican cartels would ultimately lie with President Donald Trump. Cole added that the DEA would "support the mission and orders that come down from the president."

"Mexico is a free, independent and sovereign nation, and no foreign government has the authority to violate our sovereignty," Sheinbaum said. "This is not like the past. Mexico is strong, because of our people and because of what we represent as a nation."

Sheinbaum also referenced a line from the Mexican national anthem, suggesting that the country would be ready to defend itself if the U.S. attempted a military operation.

"So no, it's not going to happen. And as I said, if there's any attempt, we have our national anthem — it says Mexico has a soldier in each of its sons," she said.

In his Aug. 21 interview with Fox News' Dana Perino, Cole said the DEA continues to fight drug cartels as it has for decades, adding that agents are prepared to follow any decision made by Trump.

"I know that decision lies with the president. The men and women of the DEA will support the decision. But let's remember, we have been at war with these cartels for the past 40 years," Cole said. "We will continue to support the mission and the orders that come down from the president."

Before addressing Cole's remarks, Sheinbaum revealed Mexico's Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Juan Ramón de la Fuente, and U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson had held a conversation that led to a mutual understanding in which both governments agree on the importance of "coordination and mutual communication" in matters of security and combating organized crime.

"There are agents from this agency, as well as others, who request permission through the Foreign Affairs Ministry. They are granted authorization and must comply with the National Security Law. In some cases, information is shared through the national intelligence and investigation system — but that's it," Sheinbaum said.

This is the second time in a week the president has publicly pushed back against the DEA. On Tuesday, Sheinbaum denied reports that her administration had reached an agreement with the agency to "dismantle cartel gatekeepers and combat synthetic drug trafficking."

"There is no agreement with the DEA. They published that release, but we don't know what it's based on. We did not reach any agreement," she said.

On Aug. 18, the DEA announced what it called "a major new initiative to strengthen collaboration" between the two countries in the fight against drug cartels.

The program, dubbed Project Potrero, was described as the agency's flagship operation to dismantle cartel "gatekeepers" — operatives who control smuggling routes along the U.S.-Mexico border.

The apparent discrepancy between the DEA's announcement and Sheinbaum's statements comes after Trump signed an order authorizing the use of military force against cartels. Earlier this month, Sheinbaum responded to that news, calling any such operation "absolutely ruled out."