MEXICO CITY — On Thursday, President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico announced her intention to introduce constitutional amendments designed to safeguard the nation’s sovereignty following the U.S. designation of six Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations under the administration of former President Donald Trump.

The U.S. labeling has fueled concerns in Mexico regarding the possibility of a U.S. military presence on Mexican soil to combat these drug cartels, a scenario that the Mexican government firmly opposes.

During her press briefing, Sheinbaum emphasized, “The Mexican people will not accept under any circumstances interventions, interference or any other act from abroad that could be harmful to the integrity, independence, and sovereignty of the nation.”

The designation of eight criminal organizations based in Latin America was officially recorded in the U.S. Federal Register, following an executive order issued on January 20 by Trump. This action is intended to ramp up the pressure on these groups, despite it being a classification typically reserved for organizations with political rather than economic motives.

Sheinbaum asserted that Mexico would not permit outside involvement in any investigations or legal proceedings without the explicit consent and collaboration of Mexican authorities.

Former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who preceded Sheinbaum, had already incorporated regulations into Mexican law that restrict the actions of foreign agents in the country. These regulations require transparency and communication with Mexican officials regarding the movements of these agents. Sheinbaum aims to solidify these restrictions within the constitution itself.

“We want to make it clear in light of this designation that we do not negotiate sovereignty,” Sheinbaum insisted. “This cannot be an opportunity for the United States to invade our sovereignty.”

Additionally, her administration has proposed constitutional reforms that would impose the harshest penalties applicable by law on foreigners involved in the manufacture, trafficking, and distribution of firearms. Mexico has consistently urged the U.S. to take more significant action to curb the influx of weapons from American gun shops and manufacturers into Mexico.

With a majority in both houses of Congress, Sheinbaum’s party, Morena, and its allies, have successfully passed various other constitutional reforms in the past.