# Sheinbaum Rejects US Terrorist Label for Mexican Criminal Groups Mexican President asserts that terrorist designations do not authorize foreign military operations on national soil. - **Source:** [El País México](https://elpais.com/mexico) - **Published:** 2026-11-10 - **Topic:** [politics](https://brifing.si/c/politics) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/c79497d3-1485-44df-a567-3a336457c239 ## Sovereignty Over Security Labels President Claudia Sheinbaum explicitly rejected the United States' classification of Mexican criminal organizations as terrorist groups. Speaking from the National Palace, she emphasized that Mexico defines terrorism differently than its northern neighbor. This stance serves as a firm boundary, ensuring that foreign security labels do not infringe upon Mexico's national sovereignty. ## No License for Intervention Sheinbaum clarified that labeling cartels as terrorists provides no legal or political justification for US military operations within Mexican territory. The administration maintains that any security cooperation must occur without subordination. This message has been consistently communicated during high-level calls and meetings with US officials, including President Donald Trump. ## Constitutional Protection Against Interference To reinforce this position, the Mexican government previously modified Article 40 of the Constitution. This legal amendment strictly prohibits foreign intervention that could compromise the country's territorial integrity or sovereignty. The President uses this constitutional framework to ensure that bilateral security discussions remain strictly within the bounds of collaborative, non-intrusive diplomatic engagement. ## Divergent Rhetoric in Meetings Tensions surfaced following a meeting between Mexican Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch and DEA Director Terrance Cole. While Harfuch described the encounter as a routine information exchange, Cole publicly referred to combating designated terrorist organizations. This discrepancy highlights the ongoing friction between US security priorities and Mexico's insistence on domestic autonomy. ## Routine Bilateral Security Cooperation García Harfuch emphasized that meetings with the DEA, FBI, and other US agencies occur on a regular schedule, typically every three to four months. These sessions focus on practical operational matters rather than policy shifts. The Secretary characterized the recent discussions as standard procedures, noting that nothing extraordinary occurred during the talks. ## Focus on Extradition Processes A primary objective of the ongoing security dialogues is the management of extradition requests between the two nations. Both countries actively review pending cases, balancing the needs of the Mexican justice system with requests submitted by US authorities. These investigations represent the core of the current bilateral security cooperation framework. ## Maintaining Diplomatic Consistency The President reiterated that her administration maintains this clear stance across all communication channels. Whether in direct calls with the US President or technical meetings involving the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of the Navy, the message remains unchanged. Mexico demands respect for its internal processes and sovereign decision-making authority. ## Future Security Relations Outlook The current diplomatic climate suggests that while operational cooperation continues, political friction over terminology persists. Mexico remains committed to its definition of security, resisting external pressures that could lead to unauthorized foreign involvement. Future relations will likely depend on the ability of both nations to balance shared security goals with national sovereignty. ## Sources covering this story - https://elpais.com/mexico/2026-11-10/sheinbaum-insiste-en-que-tratar-de-terroristas-a-los-grupos-criminales-no-es-un-aval-para-que-estados-unidos-opere-en-mexico.html — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._