Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Thursday she would propose constitutional reform aimed at further protecting Mexico's national sovereignty, after the United States designated various Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.
"The Mexican people will not, under any circumstances, accept interventions, incursions or any other actions from abroad that threaten the integrity, independence or sovereignty of our nation... (including) violations of Mexican territory, whether by land, sea or air," Sheinbaum said during her regular morning press conference, Reuters reports.
The United States on Wednesday designated the Sinaloa Cartel and other Mexican drug cartels as global terrorist organizations.
The decision comes as concerns grow among some Mexican officials that US President Donald Trump could be preparing the ground for unilateral military action inside Mexico - an idea he repeatedly mentioned during his presidential campaign.
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Sheinbaum stated that Mexico was not consulted by the US regarding the decision to declare these groups terrorist organizations.
Mexico has long opposed the move, arguing that the cartels are not motivated by political goals, like other groups on the list of terrorist organizations, but solely by profit.
The designation could complicate international business in Mexico, including for U.S. companies. It could also change the legal framework for asylum claims in the U.S., potentially putting migrants who are forced to pay extortion or ransom to cartels at risk of being accused of supporting a terrorist organization.
Sheinbaum announced on Thursday that she would propose a second constitutional reform that would toughen penalties for Mexicans and foreigners involved in gun trafficking - a major diplomatic issue for Mexico, as most of the weapons used in criminal acts in the country come from the United States.
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