Mexican president responds to Trump, denies failed operation involving US agents

MEXICO CITY

President Claudia Sheinbaum said Wednesday that US agents need permission from Mexico and must work under Mexican institutions, following allegations that undercover American agents were operating on Mexican territory.

Sheinbaum addressed US President Donald Trump’s remarks about Mexican cartels at her morning briefing and denied that US agents are working in Mexico without government authorization.

In an interview with Fox News, Trump offered his assistance to the Mexican government to combat drug cartels in Mexico.

“Mexico is, I think, very, very afraid of the cartels. Actually, I think the cartels run large sections of Mexico, and I don’t want to say that because I’m getting along very well with the president,” he said.

While continuously praising his Mexican counterpart as a person and a leader, Trump remained adamant about using US forces to conduct operations in Mexico to allegedly fight drug cartels. Since his election campaign last year, Trump has hinted at a range of actions, from gathering intelligence to military intervention and drone strikes.

Sheinbaum dismissed Trump’s characterization of her being “afraid” of the cartels, saying Wednesday that, unlike her predecessors, she would not allow US agents to operate freely on Mexican territory without the control and direction of her government.

“They (the US) always look to intervene more, but it's not something new -- it's always been that way. However, it depends a lot on the president currently in office. (Former Mexican President Felipe) Calderon allowed the DEA (US’ Drug Enforcement Agency) to carry out operations in our country directly from their own agencies — we don't,” said Sheinbaum. “The institutions of the Mexican state are the ones operating in Mexico.”

Trump’s comments came after reports said US agents were spotted in the Mexican border state of Baja California during a failed operation on April 11, in which a Mexican police officer was killed while attempting to apprehend an alleged criminal wanted by the US.

Reports said an armored vehicle with American license plates was spotted at the scene of a shootout, where the officer was killed and the suspect escaped.

Sheinbaum has vowed to investigate.