Sheinbaum tells US ambassador to avoid political interference in drug trafficking dispute

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has called on the U.S. ambassador to avoid interfering in the country's internal politics, particularly amid escalating tensions over drug trafficking.

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It is also very important, and I say this respectfully, to remember that ambassadors should focus on coordination and collaboration.

During a press conference, Sheinbaum stated respectfully that ambassadors "should focus on coordination and collaboration" and "must respect the internal political affairs of their countries." Her remarks came after U.S. Ambassador Ron Johnson posted on X, implying that Mexico was turning the fight against drugs into a political issue. Johnson wrote, "Every moment spent turning this shared security challenge into a political dispute is a missed opportunity to strengthen our partnership and protect the people we serve."

The exchange highlights a growing strain in U.S.-Mexico relations, which have been increasingly fraught over efforts to combat powerful drug cartels. Former President Donald Trump's threats to deploy U.S. troops into Mexico and accusations of alliances between Mexican politicians and organized crime have further complicated the situation. Sheinbaum has largely maintained a calm demeanor, complying with some U.S. demands such as deploying troops to the border and halting oil shipments, while politely declining troop deployment offers.

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Ambassadors must respect the internal political affairs of their countries.

Relations began to fray significantly in April following revelations that CIA agents were involved in a raid on a drug lab in Chihuahua state without federal government knowledge, a potential constitutional violation. Shortly after, the U.S. Justice Department announced drug trafficking charges against the governor of Sinaloa state and nine other officials, alleging ties to the Sinaloa cartel. Governor Rubén Rocha Moya is a member of Sheinbaum's Morena party. Sheinbaum has refused to extradite the governor without more evidence from the U.S., and reports suggest more indictments may follow, with the CIA reportedly expanding its operations within Mexico.

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Every moment spent turning this shared security challenge into a political dispute is a missed opportunity to strengthen our partnership and protect the people we serve.

In response to perceived foreign interference, Mexico's congress recently approved a bill championed by Sheinbaum that amends the constitution to allow election results to be annulled if foreign interference is proven. Sheinbaum openly expressed anger last week, calling the governor's indictment "an incident of this magnitude [that] is unprecedented in our bilateral relations."

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An incident of this magnitude is unprecedented in our bilateral relations.