International

Sheinbaum to Trump: Cooperation yes, U.S. military intervention no

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum reiterated that “there will be no intervention” by the United States in Mexico, after being asked during her morning press conference about recent comments from Donald Trump, who on Monday said he would be “proud” to strike drug facilities in Mexico and Colombia.

“He (Trump) has suggested several times or has said, ‘We offer you a U.S. military intervention in Mexico or whatever you need to combat criminal groups,’” Sheinbaum said Tuesday in response to questions from reporters. “But I have told him on every occasion that we can cooperate, that they can help us with any information they have, but that we operate within our own territory, and that we do not accept intervention from any foreign government,” she stressed.

According to Sheinbaum, the agreement between Mexico and the U.S. “makes very clear the respect for sovereignty, the respect for our territorial boundaries, and that there is collaboration and coordination without subordination.” The president emphasized that Mexico will not request any U.S. military intervention. “We do not want interventions from any foreign government,” she insisted.

On Monday, Trump said he would be willing to carry out attacks inside Mexico and Colombia to stop the flow of drugs into the United States. “We know the addresses of every drug lord… we know everything about each one of them. They are killing our people. It’s like a war. Would I do it? I’d be proud to do it.”

He added that he would likely seek approval from Congress for an attack in Mexico, which would mark an escalation after weeks of targeting ships in the Pacific and Caribbean that the U.S. government claims were trafficking drugs. “And you know what? Both Democrats and Republicans would agree, unless they’re crazy,” he said, before leaving open the possibility of a similar strike in Colombia.

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“Colombia has cocaine factories where they make cocaine… would I destroy those factories? I’d be proud to do it, personally,” Trump said. “I’m not saying I’m going to do it, but I’d be proud to do it, because we are going to save millions of lives by doing so.”

Sheinbaum reiterated during her press conference that both the U.S. president and various officials and lawmakers — including Secretary of State Marco Rubio — have been informed of Mexico’s position. She also recalled that the U.S. government issued a statement indicating that they would intervene only if Mexico requested it.

Related Topics:Colombia Droga Mexico Trump

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Central America

Guatemala’s Attorney General Consuelo Porras Loses Bid for Constitutional Court Seat

Guatemala’s attorney general, Consuelo Porras, who has been sanctioned by the United States over corruption allegations, lost a key vote on Monday in which a public university selected two of the 10 magistrates for the country’s highest constitutional court. However, she could still seek a seat through another nominating body.

The election of five full magistrates and five alternates to the Corte de Constitucionalidad (CC) is taking place gradually over more than two months and is considered crucial in the ongoing struggle for control of Guatemala’s judiciary, which critics say has long been influenced by a political and economic elite accused of corruption.

According to results announced at a press conference, the governing council of the Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala (USAC) rejected Porras, who had applied as either a full or alternate magistrate, and instead chose two candidates aligned with the university rector. The vote was held at a hotel in Antigua, about 35 kilometers from the capital.

Despite the setback, Porras — whose term as attorney general ends on May 16 — could still be nominated to the Constitutional Court by the Corte Suprema de Justicia, which appoints two magistrates. The remaining six are selected by the president, the bar association and Congress.

“It’s always a possibility,” the 72-year-old lawyer said days earlier when asked by reporters whether she would seek nomination through another institution if she lost the USAC vote.

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Porras has been sanctioned by Washington and the European Union for allegedly attempting two years ago to block the inauguration of President Bernardo Arévalo and for pursuing legal actions against anti-corruption prosecutors, judges, journalists and social leaders since taking office in 2018.

The USAC vote was controversial because most members of the university’s governing council are serving beyond the expiration of their terms. Students, academics and social activists staged protests against Porras’ candidacy.

International

Florida judge sets 2027 trial in Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against BBC

A federal judge in Florida has scheduled February 2027 for the trial in the lawsuit filed by U.S. President Donald Trump against the BBC, in which he is seeking $10 billion in damages for defamation.

Trump accuses the British broadcaster of airing a misleading edit of a speech he delivered on January 6, 2021, which, he says, made it appear that he explicitly urged his supporters to attack the U.S. Capitol in Washington.

The president filed the suit in December in federal court in Florida, alleging defamation and violations of a law governing business practices when the program was broadcast ahead of the 2024 election.

Trump is seeking $5 billion in damages for each of the two claims.

Lawyers for the BBC unsuccessfully asked the court to dismiss the case, arguing that Trump had not suffered a “legally recognizable harm,” since the investigative program Panorama, which included the edited footage, aired outside the United States.

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International

Head-of-state diplomacy key to guiding China–U.S. ties, Beijing says

Head-of-state diplomacy plays an irreplaceable strategic guiding role in China–United States relations, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Thursday during a regular press briefing, when asked about high-level exchanges between the two sides.

Lin added that in a recent phone call, U.S. President Donald Trump once again expressed his intention to visit China in April, while Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated his invitation.

Both sides remain in communication regarding the matter, the spokesperson said.

Lin noted that the essence of China–U.S. economic and trade ties lies in mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.

“Both parties should work together to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, injecting greater certainty and stability into China–U.S. economic and trade cooperation, as well as into the global economy,” he said.