Mexico demands respect of national sovereignty, seeks high-level meeting with US to clarify ‘terrorist cartels’ designation

The Mexican Foreign Ministry said it hopes to meet with its counterparts in the US State Department and insisted on its national sovereignty after President Donald Trump announced plans to declare drug cartels as terrorist groups.

Urging for a meeting to clarify its position on the cartel designation, the ministry also said it hoped to discuss ways to reduce the influx of illegal immigration across the US-Mexico border, as well as the flow of weapons and money linked to drug traffickers.

“We will act firmly. I have already transmitted our position to the US as well as our resolve to deal with transnational organized crime,” said foreign affairs secretary Marcelo Ebrard in a tweet.

Mexico will never accept any action that undermines its national sovereignty.

President Trump confirmed the terrorist designation had been in the works for months in an interview with conservative media host Bill O’Reilly published earlier on Tuesday, but provided few additional details.

Trump has repeatedly slammed Mexico for inaction on the immigration issue, and recently called on the country to join the US in a “war” on drug cartels, however Mexico City has been reluctant to enlist, arguing it did not require “foreign intervention” in its internal security affairs. President Lopez Obrador previously signaled willingness to work with the FBI on cartel violence – but only if “Mexico’s independence is upheld.”

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