Trump Says Mexico Rejected U.S. Troop Offer Over Cartel Fears: “She Can’t Even Think Straight”

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – President Donald Trump confirmed Sunday that he offered to send U.S. troops into Mexico to help combat the country’s deadly drug cartels — but said Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum turned him down because she is “afraid of the cartels.”

“She is so afraid of the cartels she can’t walk,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One. “And I think she’s a lovely woman. The president of Mexico is a lovely woman, but she is so afraid of the cartels that she can’t even think straight.”

Trump’s remarks followed Sheinbaum’s confirmation Saturday that she rejected the proposal, recounting a recent phone call between the two leaders.

“How can we help you fight drug trafficking? I propose that the United States military come in and help you,” Sheinbaum recalled Trump saying. “And you know what I said to him? ‘No, President Trump.'”

Speaking at a university event in Mexico, Sheinbaum continued: “Sovereignty is not for sale. We can work together, but you in your territory and us in ours. We can share information, but we will never accept the presence of the United States Army on our territory.”

Trump, 78, insisted that his offer was genuine and motivated by the surge of drug-related deaths in the U.S., particularly from fentanyl.

“They are bad news,” Trump said. “If Mexico wanted help with the cartels, we would be honored to go in and do it. I told her that. The cartels are trying to destroy our country. They’re evil.”

The U.S. saw at least 87,000 drug overdose deaths between October 2023 and September 2024, with nearly 58,000 linked to fentanyl, according to the CDC.

Trump has dramatically expanded the U.S. military presence along the southern border since issuing a January order, with U.S. Northern Command deploying troops and aircraft to monitor cartel activity and support anti-smuggling operations. Special Forces have also been authorized to coordinate with Mexican units.

In February, Trump designated several Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, allowing federal agencies to pursue expanded counterterrorism measures against them.

Republicans have increasingly pushed for direct military action against Mexican cartels. During the 2024 GOP primaries, several candidates — including former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley — publicly endorsed sending troops into Mexico to address the fentanyl crisis.

In recent months, Trump also imposed a 25% tariff on Mexican imports not covered under the USMCA trade pact, pressuring Mexico to act more decisively on both fentanyl trafficking and illegal immigration.

“Sheinbaum is afraid. She said no,” Trump concluded. “But the invitation still stands.”

Latest Worthy News