Sheinbaum Dismisses Rubio's Cartel Criticism as US Electioneering
Claudia Sheinbaum pushed back on Marco Rubio's claim that Mexico's anti-cartel efforts fall short, calling the remarks part of US midterm campaigning.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has rejected criticism of her country's fight against drug cartels by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, describing the remarks as election-season politicking rather than a serious policy assessment.
Speaking to reporters in Mexico City, Sheinbaum said Washington's messaging on Mexico has swung back and forth, with praise for cooperation one day and complaints of insufficient action the next. She argued that such statements are tied to the US midterm elections in November and that Mexico should not be dragged into them.
"The United States have their own problems, so Mexico shouldn't be used as part of the U.S. election campaign," she said, adding that the approach was "not right."
Rubio, during a visit to Ecuador, had said Mexico's efforts against criminal organizations were "not nearly enough" and warned that the United States would confront the cartels "one way or another."
Despite her objections, Sheinbaum stressed that she does not want a confrontation with Washington. She said Mexico must keep a cool head even when its instincts point elsewhere, and that her government remains committed to pursuing a good relationship with its northern neighbour.
She also noted that progress in bilateral security cooperation has at times been acknowledged by US officials, only for that recognition to disappear when political pressures mount. Rather than trading barbs, she said, the two countries should continue coordinating as they have done so far.