US officials say Mexican cartels control Mexico, Sheinbaum rejects

U.S. President Donald Trump told the G7 summit that Mexico has “lost control of its country” and that drug cartels “run Mexico,” adding that President Claudia Sheinbaum is “a very good woman but very scared.” Vice‑president JD Vance later said the United States “reserves the right” to take military action in Mexico to protect American citizens from cartel‑driven drug and arms shipments, while stressing a preference for coordinated security cooperation with Mexican authorities.

Sheinbaum responded in a morning press conference, rejecting any foreign military intervention, highlighting the work of Mexico’s security cabinet—including Secretary Omar García Harfuch, Defense Secretary Ricardo Trevilla and Navy Secretary Raymundo Morales—and citing a 46 % decline in intentional homicides and a 70 % drop in fentanyl flows as evidence of effective policy. She called the U.S. narrative “misinformed,” urged Washington to curb its own weapon exports, and reaffirmed Mexico’s sovereignty while maintaining bilateral security collaboration.

Mexican lawmakers also called for a unified domestic stance against the allegations, stressing the importance of rule of law and institutional credibility.