Mexican President Sheinbaum Says She Will Seek a Meeting With U.S. Authorities After New Strikes In The Pacific
Mexico City: Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo has strongly criticized the recent U.S. military strikes in the eastern Pacific that reportedly killed 14 suspected drug traffickers. Speaking during a press conference, Sheinbaum said the actions violated Mexico’s sovereignty and called for greater transparency and cooperation between both nations.
According to a report by the Los Angeles Times, the Pentagon confirmed three separate strikes on four vessels suspected of smuggling narcotics. The operations took place about 400 miles south of Acapulco, an area often used by traffickers to move drugs north toward the United States.
Details of the U.S. Operation
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the boats were “carrying narcotics and operated by known traffickers.” He added that the attacks were part of Washington’s expanded anti-narcotics campaign, aimed at stopping illegal drug shipments before they reach U.S. shores.
Footage released by the U.S. Defense Department showed boats being struck by missiles in open waters. One video appeared to show explosions engulfing the small vessels. Hegseth described the mission as “a direct strike against criminal cartels that profit from human suffering.”
The U.S. military also confirmed that 13 strikes have been conducted this year across Latin America, resulting in more than 50 deaths of alleged traffickers.
Mexico’s Reaction
President Sheinbaum condemned the strikes, saying Mexico “will not tolerate foreign military operations near our territory without consultation.” She emphasized that while her government supports the fight against organized crime, such actions must respect international law.
Mexico’s Foreign Affairs Ministry has formally requested clarification from the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City. Officials have also launched an internal review of bilateral security agreements to ensure similar incidents do not occur again.
“We demand that all nations, including our closest partners, respect Mexico’s sovereignty,” Sheinbaum stated. “We cannot allow anyone to act unilaterally in areas that affect our national interests.”
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Growing Tension Between Mexico and the U.S.
This latest incident comes at a time of increasing tension between Washington and Mexico City. The two countries have been cooperating on border security and drug trafficking control, but relations have occasionally been strained by differing approaches to enforcement.
The U.S. government under President Donald Trump has intensified military operations targeting drug cartels, sometimes extending into international waters near Latin American nations. Critics argue that these actions could destabilize regional relations and set a dangerous precedent for unilateral military intervention.
What Happens Next?
Mexico is now calling for a joint investigation into the strikes and has asked U.S. officials to share full details of the operation. Analysts believe this diplomatic dispute could affect future cooperation on anti-narcotics programs and border initiatives.
Despite the tension, both sides are expected to continue talks, as combating drug trafficking remains a shared priority. However, Sheinbaum’s strong reaction signals that Mexico intends to assert greater control over how such operations are conducted near its maritime zones.
FAQs
Q1. What exactly happened during the U.S. strikes?
According to the Los Angeles Times, the U.S. military carried out three precision strikes on boats suspected of smuggling drugs in the Pacific Ocean, resulting in 14 deaths.
Q2. Where did the strikes take place?
The operations occurred about 400 miles south of Acapulco, Mexico, in international waters.
Q3. How did Mexico respond?
President Claudia Sheinbaum condemned the attacks, calling them a violation of Mexican sovereignty and demanding a detailed explanation from the U.S. government.
Q4. Why did the U.S. conduct the strikes?
U.S. officials say the boats were linked to international drug cartels and posed a threat to national security.
Q5. Will this affect U.S.–Mexico relations?
It could. The strikes have sparked diplomatic tension and could influence future cooperation on security and anti-drug operations.