Synopsis
On February 21, President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico enacted two constitutional amendments to bolster national sovereignty and impose severe penalties on foreigners committing illegal acts within the country. This response follows the US designation of six Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations.Key Takeaways
- Mexico asserts its sovereignty against foreign interventions.
- Two constitutional amendments were signed by President Sheinbaum.
- Maximum penalties for foreigners involved in arms trafficking.
- Mexico's foreign ministry is suing US gun manufacturers.
- US-terrorist designation of drug cartels prompted these changes.
Mexico City, Feb 21 (NationPress) The President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, has enacted two amendments to the constitution aimed at reinforcing national sovereignty and imposing stricter penalties on foreigners involved in illegal activities within the country.
This action comes in response to the recent decision by Washington to label six Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations, a designation that could potentially broaden US legal and military measures against them.
The president stated that while US officials are entitled to 'label things as they see fit,' Mexico adheres to the approach of 'collaboration and coordination, never subordination. No intervention, and certainly no invasion.'
'We want to make it clear that we do not negotiate sovereignty,' Sheinbaum declared from the National Palace. 'This cannot serve as a pretext for the US to infringe upon our sovereignty.'
One of the amendments to Article 40 of the Constitution asserts that 'under no circumstances shall the people of Mexico tolerate interventions, intrusions, or any foreign actions that threaten the integrity, independence, or sovereignty of the nation, including coups, election meddling, or territorial encroachments by land, sea, air, or space.'
It further clarifies that no foreign entity can initiate investigations or prosecutions within Mexico without the explicit consent of the Mexican government.
Another amendment to Article 19 enforces the maximum penalty and mandatory pretrial detention for any foreign individual involved in arms trafficking or any actions that violate Mexico's sovereignty as outlined in Article 40.
Sheinbaum also emphasized that Mexico's foreign ministry is broadening its legal action against US gun manufacturers and distributors, accusing them of being complicit in the illicit influx of weapons into Mexico—a concern acknowledged by the US Department of Justice earlier this year.
