Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum disputed recent remarks by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who claimed she agreed to measures aimed at halting migration through Mexico to the United States.
Earlier this week, Trump threatened to impose steep 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada, citing concerns about illegal migration and the flow of drugs like fentanyl into the U.S. On Wednesday, Trump declared he had a “wonderful conversation” with Sheinbaum, during which she purportedly agreed to “stop migration through Mexico” and effectively “close our Southern Border.”
Trump later reiterated his stance, announcing that Mexico would take immediate action to prevent migrants from reaching the U.S. border, calling it a major step toward ending what he described as an “illegal invasion”, according to a report from Mediaite.
However, President Sheinbaum shared a different account. In a social media post, she outlined Mexico’s ongoing approach to migration, emphasizing humanitarian assistance over border closures. Her statement, translated by CNN, explained:
“In our conversation with President Trump, I explained to him the comprehensive strategy that Mexico has followed to address the migration phenomenon, respecting human rights. Thanks to this, migrants and caravans are assisted before they reach the border. We reiterate that Mexico’s position is not to close borders but to build bridges between governments and between peoples.”
Trump’s claims and Sheinbaum’s clarification have raised questions about the accuracy of his account and the implications for U.S.-Mexico relations. Journalist Maggie Haberman noted Trump’s pattern of making bold statements after talks with foreign leaders, adding, “He has made statements like that before when he was president, and it didn’t actually amount to the closure of a border.”
As Trump prepares to assume office, the diverging narratives highlight challenges ahead for bilateral cooperation on migration and trade.
The text from Mediaite can be read through the link below:
Mexico’s President Hits Back At Trump Threat With Fiery Letter, Blames U.S. For Arming Criminals