Sheinbaum Reaffirms Mexico's Stance After Maduro's Detention: 'Intervention Has Never Brought Democracy'

Maintaining the country's historical stance, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum publicly rejected the detention of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro following a secret U.S. operation in Venezuela.

Since President Donald Trump took office in January 2025, Sheinbaum has repeatedly reaffirmed her opposition to any form of foreign intervention, particularly in Mexico amid repeated pressure from the Trump administration tied to efforts to curb drug trafficking into the United States.

Speaking during one of her daily morning news conferences, Sheinbaum said Mexico's position remains unchanged.

"In light of the recent events in Venezuela, where the government of the United States carried out a direct intervention that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, as well as the loss of human life, Mexico reaffirms a principle that is neither new nor open to interpretation," she said. "We categorically reject intervention in the internal affairs of other countries."

Shortly after news emerged of the U.S. operation and the arrest of Nicolás Maduro, the Mexican government released a statement calling for strict adherence to international law and urged the United Nations to act immediately to help de-escalate tensions, promote dialogue and pursue a peaceful resolution.

On Jan. 5, Sheinbaum invoked Latin America's history, arguing that foreign intervention has consistently failed to deliver positive outcomes.

"The history of Latin America is clear and unequivocal. Intervention has never brought democracy, never produced well-being and never delivered lasting stability," she said. "Only people themselves can build their future, choose their path, exercise sovereignty over their natural resources and freely define their system of government."

Sheinbaum has emphasized that Mexico will not support actions that involve interference in the internal affairs of other nations, stressing that her administration's approach prioritizes the peaceful resolution of conflicts, as reported by Milenio.

"For Mexico, sovereignty and self-determination are neither optional nor negotiable," she added. "They are fundamental principles of international law and must be respected at all times, without exception. Unilateral action and invasion cannot be the foundation of international relations in the 21st century. They lead neither to peace nor to development."

As reported by The Hill, following the military operation in Venezuela that led to Maduro's removal, President Trump said on Jan. 4 that he does not rule out similar actions in other countries in the region.

He also warned Mexico to "get their act together," citing drug cartels and their influence in the country.

"You have to do something with Mexico," Trump said. "We're going to have to do something. We'd love Mexico to do it, they're capable of doing it, but unfortunately the cartels are very strong in Mexico."

Trump added that he has offered U.S. assistance to Mexico in the fight against organized crime.

In response, Sheinbaum said Mexico continues to work with the United States to combat criminal organizations and violence, while firmly rejecting any possibility of foreign intervention.

"Mexico holds with conviction that the Americas do not belong to a doctrine or to a single power," she said. "The continent belongs to the peoples of each of the countries that make it up."

She concluded by reaffirming Mexico's sovereignty, saying cooperation is welcome, but subordination and intervention are not.