“We do not agree”: Mexico’s Claudia Sheinbaum objects to US air strikes - Assalamualaikum
Assalamualaikum - Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has publicly objected to the recent US air strikes in the Caribbean and, more recently, the Pacific, which Washington says target drug-smuggling operations.
At a morning press briefing on Thursday she was asked about the bombing campaign. “Obviously, we do not agree,” Sheinbaum answered. “There are international laws about how to act when dealing with alleged illegal transport of drugs or weapons in international waters, and we have made this clear to the US government and said so publicly.”
Sheinbaum joins other Latin American leaders in opposing the strikes, which reports say have killed at least 37 people since the campaign began on September 2.
Later the same day, while promoting a hardline anti-drug stance, US President Donald Trump criticised Mexico and suggested Sheinbaum’s government lacks control. “Mexico is run by the cartels,” he told reporters, while also commenting on Sheinbaum personally.
Since Trump returned to the White House, Mexico has had to carefully manage its relationship with the US. Trump’s second-term priorities included reducing undocumented migration across the border and taking protectionist trade steps such as tariffs. To push those aims, his administration has pressured Sheinbaum’s government.
For example, in late January the White House announced 25 percent tariffs on exports from Mexico and Canada, saying the measure was needed to push them to stop illegal immigration and block fentanyl and other drugs. After talks, the tariffs were temporarily paused, but Mexico agreed to reinforce its border with 10,000 National Guard troops to crack down on trafficking.
Tensions continued: Trump later threatened higher tariffs to force more action on fentanyl, and the US Treasury sanctioned three major Mexican banks in June, accusing them of facilitating money laundering for drug cartels - charges the banks denied.
The US’s tougher posture has raised fears that it might take military action involving Mexican territory. Early in his term Trump said he might label cartels as “foreign terrorist organisations,” and in May the US reportedly offered to send troops to Mexico to fight cartels - an offer Sheinbaum rejected, saying, “Sovereignty is not for sale.” She stressed cooperation but ruled out any invasion.
Despite those assurances, the US has carried out a series of air strikes at sea since September, including near Venezuela, Colombia, and now off Colombia’s Pacific coast. The strikes have reportedly targeted small boats and, in one instance, a submarine said to be carrying narcotics. The US administration has not publicly provided evidence for many of those claims, and Latin American officials say some victims appear to be fishermen.
Ecuador released one survivor from the submarine incident, saying it had no evidence he had committed a crime. Colombia’s president has said a fisherman was among those killed, and families in Trinidad and Tobago have worried their missing relatives might be victims. Nine strikes on maritime vessels have been reported since September.
Legal experts and UN human rights officials warn the strikes may violate international law, which limits lethal force outside of armed conflict. Sheinbaum has repeatedly told reporters that Mexico will not accept incursions on its territory: “We cooperate, we collaborate, but there will be no invasion.”
May Allah protect innocent lives and guide leaders to act with justice and respect for sovereignty.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news