Mexico’s President Faces Escalating Pressure Amid Rising U.S. Demands

Claudia Sheinbaum has earned a reputation as a skilled negotiator with former President Trump.

Repeatedly, the Mexican leader has engaged in high-stakes talks with Trump, often emerging with unexpected commendations.

In February, Trump expressed his approval, stating, “I like her very much.” He also noted in March that pausing tariffs on Mexico was a gesture made out of respect for President Sheinbaum.

However, this period of relative calm appears to be drawing to a close.

In recent months, the U.S. has intensified its pressure on Mexico through a series of aggressive actions that have cornered Sheinbaum, forcing her into a defensive stance with limited options.

The United States has positioned nearly 10,000 troops along the Mexican border, accused Mexican financial institutions of laundering money, threatened severe tariff escalations, revoked visas for certain Mexican officials, and designated multiple drug cartels as terrorist entities.

Throughout these developments, Sheinbaum has maintained a firm stance, emphasizing a critical boundary that must not be crossed: any violation of Mexico’s sovereignty, especially through unilateral military intervention.

This month, reports emerged that the Pentagon had been secretly instructed to consider military operations targeting drug cartels within Mexico.