President Donald Trump said Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum rejected his offer to send U.S. troops to Mexico to help fight the country's cartels because she is afraid of them. (AP)
Sheinbaum said she told Trump at the time that Mexico would "never accept" a U.S. military presence.
"No, President Trump, our territory is inalienable, sovereignty is inalienable," Sheinbaum claimed to have said. "We can collaborate. We can work together, but with 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."
There has been a larger American military presence at the U.S.-Mexico border after Trump issued an order in January to increase the army’s role in slowing the flow of illegal immigrants into the U.S.
CONSERVATIVE GROUP’S ROADMAP SHOWS HOW TRUMP CAN USE MILITARY TO THWART CARTELS
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum told Trump at the time that Mexico would "never accept" a U.S. military presence. (AP Images)
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U.S. Northern Command has deployed troops and equipment to the southern border, increased manned surveillance flights to monitor fentanyl trafficking along the border and requested expanded authority for U.S. Special Forces to work closely with Mexican forces conducting operations against cartels.
In February, Trump designated many gangs and cartels smuggling drugs into the U.S. as "foreign terrorist organizations," giving law enforcement more resources to take action against the groups.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-says-mexican-president-afraid-cartels-rejected-offer-send-us-troops-mexico