President Trump confirmed Sunday that he offered to send troops into Mexico, but said the country\u2019s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, is terrified of the cartels.<\/p>\n
A day earlier, Sheinbaum had said she rejected<\/a> an offer from Trump for American troops to be shipped south of the border for the purpose of combating drug trafficking.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cAnd do you know what I told him? No, President Trump,\u201d she said. \u201cThe territory cannot be violated. Sovereignty cannot be sold. Sovereignty is cherished and defended.\u201d<\/p>\n Republicans have long floated the idea of U.S. military intervention in Mexican territory, a suggestion vehemently rejected by multiple Mexican administrations.<\/p>\n In February, Trump fulfilled a campaign promise by designating several Mexican cartels<\/a> as terrorist organizations. Members of his administration have also talked about potential drone strikes on the groups.<\/p>\n \u201cMexico is saying that I offered to send U.S. troops into Mexico to take care of the cartel, she wants to know, is that true?\u201d he said back to a reporter Sunday on Air Force One, later adding that \u201cit\u2019s true.\u201d<\/p>\n Trump said Sheinbaum is \u201cso afraid of the cartel she can\u2019t walk,\u201d but added that he believes the Mexican president is \u201ca lovely woman.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShe is so afraid of the cartels she can\u2019t even think straight,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n The Hill has reached out the Mexican government for a response.<\/p>\n Sheinbaum said Saturday that U.S. military action inside Mexico is both unacceptable and “not necessary.”<\/p>\n \u201cWe can collaborate. We can work together. But you in your territory and us in ours. We can share information, but we will never accept the presence of the United States Army in our territory,” she said.<\/p>\n