Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum assured that the Arleigh Burke-class USS Gravely is in international waters and that the action was notified to her government. The USS Gravely departed from the Naval Weapons Station in Virginia to the Gulf of Mexico, also known as 'America's Gulf' by the Trump administration.
The mission of the USS Gravely destroyer is to intercept drug shipments entering the United States in that area. The United States deployed the ship on March 15 in the Gulf of Mexico, with roles including military combat operations, counter-terrorism, and national security protection.
The USS Gravely has caused controversy in Mexico due to previous reports on drones and U.S. flights to monitor drug trafficking groups in Mexican territory. Although at that time, Sheinbaum mentioned that the drones were flying 'at the request of the Government of Mexico.'
The USS Gravely is a guided missile destroyer of the Arleigh Burke class (DDG 107). Owned by the U.S. Navy, it has a capacity for 329 personnel and its armament includes a wide range of missiles and weapon systems.
Claudia Sheinbaum stated that the U.S. destroyer in the Gulf of Mexico does not pose a danger to Mexico, as it is in international waters and within international navigation norms. Sheinbaum explained that the ship's presence aims to monitor international waters for drug shipments that may enter U.S. territory.
