Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum slammed Ronald Johnson, the Trump administration's nominee to be the next ambassador to the country, after he said that "all options are on the table" to address cartels.
Speaking at his confirmation hearing, Johnson was asked if the U.S. should take military action on Mexican soil. He said that "any decision to take action against a cartel inside Mexico, our first desire would be that it be done in partnership with our Mexican partners."
However, he went on to say that "I know that President Trump takes very seriously his responsibility to safeguard the lives of U.S. citizens and should be there a case where the lives of U.S. citizens are at risk I think all cards are on the table."
Sheinbaum made reference to the comments speaking at her confirmation hearing. "We don't agree," she said. "He said everything's on the table, well no, not everything is on the table, nor on the chair, nor on the floor, nor anywhere, not that."
The Mexican president went on to say that Mexico will not tolerate "any violations of its sovereignty." "If he is ratified by the Senate, there will be a good relationship with the ambassador, but, as we've said, Mexico is to be respected."
Johnson's comments stand in contrast with those made recently by Vice President JD Vance, who said earlier this month the U.S. does not plan to unilaterally use military force in the country. When pressed if an invasion really could take place, he stated: "No. Next question." He later referred to cartels again when being pressed on the issue of Trump's tariffs on Mexico:
"I actually think he's doing a huge favor to the people of Mexico because, if they don't get control of these cartels, the people of Mexico are going to wake up in a narco state, where the cartels have more power than their own government"
Six Mexican cartels were officially designated as foreign terrorist organizations in February, paving the way for potential military action from the U.S. in Mexico. U.S. assets have already been operating in Mexican soil, including drone flights that have helped local authorities locate and take down top cartel leaders and labs.
Ronald Johnson has decades of experience in the U.S. Military and the CIA, and, most recently, served as the U.S. ambassador to El Salvador, where he cultivated a strong alliance with President Nayib Bukele to combat illegal immigration and crime. However, the Mexican government has clarified that drone flights are a result of coordination between the two countries.
He was appointed to the El Salvador position in 2019. During that time, he built a strong relationship with Bukele, whom he has hosted at his Miami home and considers a friend, as evidenced by public posts from Johnson's Cuban-American wife Alina Arias Johnson. Bukele has also fostered a good relationship with the U.S., most recently taking alleged gang members from Venezuelan-born gang Tren de Aragua and sending them to the country's infamous CECOT prison, which can hold up to 40,000 people.
© 2025 Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
