This Thursday, the President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, announced two reforms to the country's Constitution in response to the declaration by the United States that categorizes six Mexican drug cartels as terrorists. During her morning press conference, Sheinbaum emphasized that the reforms aim to protect the country's sovereignty and strengthen penalties for foreigners who intervene in Mexico.
In her words, Sheinbaum highlighted that the relationship with the United States is based on collaboration and coordination, without allowing subordination, interference, or invasion. Despite the U.S. State Department designating the Sinaloa, Jalisco New Generation, Gulf, Northeast, New Michoacan Family, and United Cartels as terrorists, the Mexican leader stressed that violations of national sovereignty will not be tolerated.
One of the proposed reforms targets Article 40 of the Constitution, ensuring that the Mexican people will not accept foreign interventions that threaten the integrity, independence, and sovereignty of the Nation. Actions such as coups, interference in elections, and violations of Mexican territory are included. It is also proposed to impose the harshest possible penalties on foreigners involved in illegal activities related to these interventions.
Another modification refers to Article 19, proposing harsher penalties for those involved in the illegal manufacture, distribution, or introduction of weapons into Mexican territory. This is accompanied by a call to the American arms industry, the main supplier of weapons to organized crime in Mexico, to take responsibility and address the consequences of its actions.
Additionally, the Mexican Foreign Ministry will expand the lawsuit filed during the administration of Andrés Manuel López Obrador against manufacturers and sellers of weapons in the U.S., accusing them of being complicit in terrorism by supplying drug cartels. Sheinbaum reaffirmed that Mexico will not negotiate its sovereignty and will remain firm in defending its national integrity against any attempt of foreign intervention.
