International News: Sheinbaum defends Mexico’s sovereignty after Rubio’s cartel warning

By Zoila Palma:  Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has pushed back strongly against U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s criticism of Mexico’s fight against drug cartels, declaring that “Mexico is nobody’s piñata” and demanding that her country be treated with respect.

According to The Latin Times, Sheinbaum made the remarks during her September 10 morning press conference, accusing Washington of using Mexico’s security challenges for political purposes ahead of the November 3 U.S. midterm elections.

Rubio’s comments came a day earlier during his visit to Quito, Ecuador, where he said “vast territories” of Mexico are not governed by the state but instead controlled by criminal groups designated by Washington as narco-terrorist organizations.

While acknowledging that Sheinbaum’s administration has taken stronger action against organized crime than previous governments, Rubio argued that assassinations of politicians, judges and journalists demonstrate that Mexican cartels continue to pose a serious challenge to the government.

Sheinbaum defended Mexico’s security efforts while also turning attention toward issues she says contribute to organized crime, including drug consumption in the United States, the flow of U.S.-made firearms into Mexico and financial networks that support criminal organizations.

Mexican officials point to hundreds of tons of narcotics seized and thousands of firearms confiscated under Sheinbaum as evidence of intensified enforcement, while joint U.S.-Mexico security operations continue despite disagreements over the extent of American involvement.

The dispute comes as both countries approach important elections, with the U.S. midterms scheduled for November 3 and Mexico preparing for its 2027 federal elections.

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