President Claudia Sheinbaum announced two constitutional reforms today at the National Palace, responding to the United States’ designation of six Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations.
Speaking during “La Mañanera del Pueblo,” Sheinbaum emphasized Mexico’s sovereignty while outlining measures to prevent foreign interference. “We do not negotiate sovereignty,” she stated. “With Mexico, it is collaboration and coordination, never subordination, interference, or invasion.”
The proposed reforms include:
1. Strengthening Article 40 to explicitly reject foreign interventions that could harm national sovereignty, including interference in investigations without Mexico’s express authorization
2. Modifying Article 19 to impose severe penalties on foreigners involved in activities that violate Mexican sovereignty
Additionally, Sheinbaum announced plans to expand Mexico’s existing lawsuit against U.S. arms manufacturers, now seeking to charge them with complicity in terrorism. This follows a Justice Department report indicating that approximately 75% of weapons used by organized crime in Mexico originate from the United States.
The designated organizations include the Sinaloa Cartel, New Generation Cartel (CNG), Gulf Cartel, Northeast Cartel, New Michoacan Family, and United Cartels.
While acknowledging the shared goal of combating organized crime, Sheinbaum emphasized that cooperation must respect Mexico’s sovereignty: “Both countries want to combat organized crime groups that commit illegal acts, but we have to guarantee that it is done through collaboration and coordination.”