Claudia Sheinbaum said she had a "very good" call with Donald Trump despite rising tensions tied to an expanding U.S. military presence and pressure over cross-border drug trafficking. The White House's classification of cartels as terrorist organizations could underpin legal arguments for strikes, experts warn. Mexico's emergence as Cuba's main oil supplier adds another diplomatic complication, prompting analysts to say Sheinbaum is politically constrained.
Sheinbaum Calls Talk With Trump 'Very Good' — But Cartel Designations and Cuba Oil Strain Relations
A chart showing the share of Mexico’s total exports.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she held a "very good" conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump, even as bilateral tensions grow amid an increased U.S. military presence in the region.
Sheinbaum described the call as cordial and constructive, while Washington has simultaneously stepped up pressure on Mexico to curb cross-border drug trafficking.
Trump: "She's a good woman, but the cartels are running Mexico."
The White House recently designated major drug cartels as terrorist organizations — a move experts say could create a legal basis for potential U.S. strikes against cartel targets.
Complicating ties further, Mexico has become Cuba's largest oil supplier, a development that could aggravate relations with the U.S., where the administration has vowed to cut off support to the Cuban government.
Analysts' view: A leading Mexican analyst warned that Sheinbaum "is boxed in on all sides," facing domestic security challenges while navigating mounting international pressure.
Implications
The exchange highlights a fragile balance between diplomacy and escalation: a cordial presidential call coexists with policy shifts that raise the prospect of legal, economic and even military moves. Observers will be watching whether the dialogue leads to cooperation on security or deepens tensions over enforcement and regional alliances.
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