Context:

President Donald Trump criticized Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum for rejecting his offer to send U.S. troops to Mexico to combat drug cartels, claiming she is afraid of them. Trump made this statement while speaking to reporters on Air Force One, suggesting that the cartels are a significant threat, facilitating drug trafficking and posing a danger to both countries. Trump emphasized that his offer was an attempt to help Mexico and protect the U.S. from the influx of drugs, particularly fentanyl, brought in by these cartels. Sheinbaum firmly declined the offer, insisting on Mexico's sovereignty and stating that the country would never accept a U.S. military presence on its soil. Trump's administration has been increasing military presence at the U.S.-Mexico border to combat illegal immigration and drug trafficking, classifying many gangs and cartels as foreign terrorist organizations to enhance enforcement capabilities.

Dive Deeper:

• President Trump accused Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum of being too frightened by drug cartels to accept his proposal to send U.S. troops to Mexico to fight them. He expressed this view during a conversation with reporters aboard Air Force One, highlighting the danger posed by these cartels.

• Sheinbaum confirmed that Trump had pressured her to allow U.S. military involvement in Mexico to tackle the cartels, but she refused, citing Mexico's inalienable sovereignty and rejecting any foreign military presence on Mexican soil.

• Trump's administration has been bolstering military efforts at the U.S.-Mexico border, with increased surveillance and troop deployment aimed at curbing illegal immigration and drug smuggling, particularly targeting the flow of fentanyl.

• The U.S. Northern Command has been actively involved in these operations, seeking expanded authority for U.S. Special Forces to collaborate with Mexican forces against the cartels.

• In February, Trump's administration labeled numerous gangs and cartels as 'foreign terrorist organizations,' a move that provides law enforcement with additional resources to combat these groups more effectively.