Karoline Leavitt Emphasizes U.S.-Mexico Collaboration over Targeting Drug Cartels

By Pedro Salvador Guerrero | Mexican Press Agency

In a press briefing earlier today, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt responded to questions regarding the relationship between President Sheinbaum and President Trump, concerning the regional security strategy against drug cartels. Without engaging in the NBC reports about unilateral drone strikes targeting drug cartels that President Donald Trump is allegedly considering, Leavitt emphasized the strong collaboration between the United States and Mexico.

Leavitt noted that both “world leaders” have a positive relationship. She highlighted that the U.S. government continues to work closely with Mexico on combating the influence of drug cartels and other criminal activities through coordination.

“The president has been engaged directly with President Sheinbaum on a number of different topics, particularly when it comes to clamping down on the Mexican drug cartels, on clamping down illegal immigration, human trafficking, drug trafficking through our southern border. She has taken significant steps towards doing that.” Leavitt stated. Leavitt avoided confirming any specific reports about military action, instead deferring questions on the matter to the National Security Council.

Earlier today, President Sheinbaum rejected any foreign military interventions in Mexico and expressed disbelief in drone strike plans, because “there is a lot of dialogue in security topics and many other topics”. She also emphasized that such actions would not resolve the ongoing issues related to drug trafficking and cartel violence. In her daily presidential press briefing, she made it clear that Mexico prioritizes cooperation, focusing instead on domestic efforts to address the root causes of crime through intelligence, law enforcement, and investigations.

While the issue of assessing the regional drug cartel threats remains a sensitive topic, Leavitt’s remarks suggest that the U.S. is also committed to maintaining a collaborative approach with Mexico, rather than taking any unilateral steps. Both governments are focused on working together to address the challenges posed by drug cartels, human trafficking, and other cross-border criminal activities.

Leavitt’s comments reflect the White House’s broader strategy of continued engagement with Mexico, which has been crucial in tackling regional security issues, as both nations work to confront these complex and shared challenges.