Mexican president defends sovereignty, rejects use of Mexico in U.S. politics

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Thursday reiterated her stance on national sovereignty and rejected U.S. political pandering at Mexico's expense ahead of U.S. midterm elections.

The president was responding to recent comments by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who claimed that drug trafficking groups control "vast territories" of Mexico and that they "pose an enormous threat right on Mexico border. "Sheinbaum viewed Rubio's words as motivated by the upcoming U.S. midterm elections in November.

"Mexico should not be used as part of the U.S. electoral campaign," she said, noting that U.S. politicians should focus on resolving their own domestic issues, such as fighting drug addiction and preventing the smuggling of weapons into Mexico.