Mexico says won’t allow US armed intervention over cartels
Mexico says it bluntly objects to any potential cross-border armed operations targeting the country’s soil by the United States after the latter vows to blacklist the Mexican drug cartels.
"Armed foreigners cannot intervene in our territory. We will not allow that," said President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador on Friday, AFP reported.
Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump pledged to put the cartels on the US’ so-called Foreign Terrorist Organizations’ list. “They will be designated," Trump said in a radio interview.
Trump’s remarks came after the cartels allegedly slew nine members of Mexico-based American-Mexican Mormon community on November 4.
His remarks, however, conjured up resentment among both Mexican nationals and politicians due to their bringing back memories of the US’ long history of territorial aggression against their country, including a 1848 war, during which the US appropriated half of Mexico’s expanse.
"Since 1914 there hasn't been a foreign intervention in Mexico and we cannot permit that," Lopez Obrador said, referring to the US occupation of the port of Veracruz over a century ago.
Trump, though, rejected the likelihood of US drone attacks against the Mexican territory. His Mexican counterpart also called it unlikely that “a decision is taken that we consider affects our sovereignty.”
Nevertheless, Lopez Obrador asserted that his country “will act within the framework of international law” in the event of any interventionist move by the United States.
Mexico City has also said it would seek a high-level meeting with US officials to present the Mexican government's concerns, which has to do with Washington’s actions. The country, which shares a 3,200-kilometer (nearly 2,000-mile) border with the US, has long complained about the illegal flow of American-made weapons onto its territory.
Lopez Obrador became president last year on campaign pledges that included standing up against Trump’s “aggressive bullying tactics.”
Both before and after becoming president in 2016, Trump would take a hard stance against Mexican immigrants, repeatedly accusing them of being “criminals” and “rapists.” He has also spent a good part of his incumbency, trying to force Congress to approve of budget to build a corner-to-corner wall along the common border.
US Senate reauthorizes surveillance bill despite privacy concerns
Syria condemns US veto of Palestine UN membership resolution
Blinken ignoring staff recommendation to cut US aid to Israel: Report
Iran’s Civil Defense examines country’s preparation for potential threats
FBI chief: Chinese hackers targeting critical US infrastructure
New York Times leaked memo on Gaza coverage reveals obfuscation of facts
VIDEO | Press TV's news headlines
Barbados officially announces recognition of Palestine as state
US Senate reauthorizes surveillance bill despite privacy concerns
April 19: ‘Axis of Resistance’ operations against Israeli occupation
Pro-Palestine rallies spread after students arrested at Columbia University
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
