(NewsNation) — Ahead of her first state of the nation address, the stakes are high for Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.
In the lead-up to her Monday afternoon address, Sheinbaum has faced mounting pressure from the Trump administration after she extradited dozens of accused cartel members to the United States. She said the move was intended to protect Mexico’s security, and not just to answer Washington’s calls.
Still, the White House has turned up the heat, demanding Mexico do more on crime, drugs and trade, and has threatened tariffs if they don’t get results.
US judge bars government from sending Guatemalan children back, for now
Sheinbaum has walked a tight rope between trying to convince the Trump administration she is doing enough to combat cartels — many of which have been designated terrorist organizations by the State Department — while also attempting to maintain a tough posture when it comes to her citizens, saying she will continue to defend Mexico’s sovereignty and will not allow U.S. troops on the ground.
Earlier this month, President Donald Trump reportedly directed the Pentagon to explore military options against Mexican drug cartels. Sheinbaum quickly rejected the idea.
“There’s not going to be an invasion, that is ruled out,” she said.
Days later, the Mexican government sent 26 alleged high-level cartel operatives to the U.S., the 55th such transfer this year, including leaders linked to the Sinaloa cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, or CJNG.
Mexican officials said these moves aimed to show Washington they are serious, though Trump has said Mexico does what the U.S. wants it to do, and criticized the nation for not doing enough to combat fentanyl from coming into the U.S.
Sheinbaum has countered that, during her presidency, murders are down in the country, drug seizures are up and illegal crossings at the U.S. border have nearly come to a halt.
Mexico seeking ‘its share’ if U.S. seizes drug lord ‘El Mayo’s’ assets
Sheinbaum’s approval rating is at a record high, 71%, but one of her weakest positions continues to be her handling of cartels.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to visit Mexico in the coming days and said U.S. and Mexican officials will sign what they call a “binational security framework.” Rubio said the focus will be on dismantling cartels, halting fentanyl trafficking and stopping illegal immigration.
Mexican officials said they have already agreed on a framework that allows intelligence sharing but rules out U.S. troops on Mexican soil. Sheinbaum has stressed Mexico “will never sign something that from our perspective violates our sovereignty or our territory.”
Republican Texas Sen. Ted Cruz has pushed for Mexico to adopt El Salvador’s crime crackdown on gangs and said that it would be preferable to work together but that the U.S. could act alone if Mexico refuses.
