MxM News

Quick Hit:

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced plans to propose constitutional reforms following U.S. President Donald Trump’s designation of six Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.

Key Details:

• The U.S. designation targets six Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, published in the Federal Register on Thursday.
• Sheinbaum’s proposed reforms would protect Mexico’s sovereignty and limit foreign agents’ operations within the country.
• The reforms would also impose severe penalties on foreigners involved in gun trafficking, addressing Mexico’s longstanding demand for stricter U.S. gun control measures.

Diving Deeper:

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum revealed plans to propose constitutional reforms in response to the Trump administration’s recent designation of six Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. The U.S. action, announced on Thursday, has raised concerns in Mexico about potential military intervention on its soil, an idea Mexico strongly opposes.

“The Mexican people will not accept under any circumstances interventions, interference or any other act from abroad that could be harmful to the integrity, independence and sovereignty of the nation,” Sheinbaum asserted during her daily press briefing. She emphasized that Mexico would not allow outside involvement in investigations or prosecutions without authorization and collaboration from the Mexican government.

The U.S. designations are part of a broader effort to increase pressure on the cartels by treating them similarly to groups with political motives rather than purely economic interests. The decision follows a Jan. 20 executive order by President Donald Trump, aiming to curb cartel operations that contribute to violence and instability in the region.

Sheinbaum’s proposal seeks to solidify existing restrictions on foreign agents operating in Mexico, which were first introduced by her predecessor, former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Those laws limited the independence of foreign agents, requiring Mexican authorities to be informed of their movements. By enshrining these restrictions in the constitution, Sheinbaum aims to further safeguard Mexico’s sovereignty.

Additionally, Sheinbaum plans to introduce severe penalties for foreigners involved in gun trafficking, a longstanding issue in U.S.-Mexico relations. Mexico has repeatedly called on the U.S. to do more to prevent the flow of firearms from American gun shops and manufacturers into Mexico. With majorities in both chambers of Congress, Sheinbaum’s Morena party and its allies are well-positioned to pass the proposed constitutional amendments.

“What we want to make clear in the face of this designation is that we do not negotiate sovereignty,” Sheinbaum said, signaling her firm stance against any potential foreign military action on Mexican territory. As the situation develops, the proposed reforms are likely to shape Mexico’s domestic and international policy landscape, especially in its ongoing relationship with the U.S. under President Trump’s administration.