In a decisive move to uphold Mexico’s national sovereignty, President Claudia Sheinbaum announced on Thursday, February 20, 2025, a proposed constitutional reform. This initiative comes in direct response to the United States’ recent designation of six Mexican cartels as terrorist organizations.
Strengthening National Sovereignty
President Sheinbaum detailed plans to submit a proposal to the Congress of the Union aimed at amending Articles 19 and 40 of the Mexican Constitution. The primary goal is to legally fortify the nation’s sovereignty and impose stricter penalties on individuals facilitating the trafficking of arms into Mexico.
“The reform encompasses two key components: first, an amendment to Article 40, which pertains to national sovereignty; second, modifications to Article 19, addressing offenses warranting preventive detention,” President Sheinbaum explained.
The proposed revision to Article 40 asserts: “The people of Mexico, under no circumstances, will accept interventions, intrusions, or any foreign acts detrimental to the integrity, independence, and sovereignty of the nation, such as coups, election interference, or violations of Mexican territory by land, water, sea, or airspace.”
Additionally, the amendment to Article 19 seeks to enforce the most severe penalties and mandatory preventive detention for any individual, whether national or foreign, involved in arms trafficking or activities undermining Mexican sovereignty.
Firm Stance Against Foreign Intervention
President Sheinbaum firmly stated that Mexico will not tolerate any “invasion” of its national sovereignty, following the U.S. designation of six Mexican cartels as terrorist entities.
In her “People’s Morning” conference, she emphasized that while the U.S. made this decision independently, it should not serve as a pretext “to invade our sovereignty.”
The President underscored that, despite ongoing security cooperation with the neighboring country, Mexico will not permit interference in its internal affairs.
“This designation of criminal groups in Mexico as terrorists is a decision made by the United States; it was not a decision consulted with us,” she clarified.
Legal Action Against Arms Manufacturers
Beyond the constitutional reform, President Sheinbaum announced that the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs will expand the Mexican government’s lawsuit against U.S. arms manufacturers and distributors. This action aims to hold these companies accountable for the sale of weapons that ultimately end up in the hands of organized crime in Mexico.
“Given this designation, there must be a link to those selling weapons to these criminal groups now labeled as such by the United States. Therefore, there will be an expansion of this lawsuit for complicity of those selling arms that are introduced into our country,” she stated.
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