On Monday, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum strongly criticized what she termed as U.S. interference in Venezuela and stood firmly against the notion of American military forces entering Mexico, emphasizing her administration’s dedication to upholding national sovereignty.

“We unequivocally oppose meddling in the domestic matters of other nations,” Sheinbaum declared during a press briefing in Mexico City. Her remarks are documented in an official transcript available here, released by her office.

Sheinbaum further stated, “Latin America’s history is evident and compelling; intervention has never fostered democracy, nor has it led to well-being or enduring stability. Only the people can determine their future, choose their path, exercise control over their natural resources, and freely establish their government.”

This comes in response to a U.S. military operation conducted on Saturday in Caracas, which resulted in the extraction of former Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, from their residence.

President Claudia Sheinbaum addressed the media during her morning press conference at the Palacio Nacional in Mexico City on January 5, 2026. (Photo by Raquel Cunha/Reuters)

Maduro and Flores were boarded onto the USS Iwo Jima and flown to New York to face federal charges, with their arraignment taking place on Monday in Manhattan.

Maduro is charged with four counts: narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, possession of machine-guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess machine-guns and destructive devices.

His wife is charged with three counts: cocaine importation conspiracy, possession of machine-guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess machine-guns and destructive devices.

01/05/2026 Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores are seen in handcuffs after landing at a Manhattan helipad, escorted by heavily armed Federal agents as they make their way into an armored car en route to a Federal courthouse in Manhattan. (TheImageDirect.com)

Sheinbaum said that following the capture of Venezuela’s leader and his wife, and amid warnings from President Donald Trump that Mexico must “get their act together,” Mexican sovereignty and self-determination remain non-negotiable.

Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that he thinks Sheinbaum is a “terrific person,” but the cartels are “running Mexico.”

“We’re going to have to do something. We’d love Mexico to do it, they’re capable of doing it, but unfortunately the cartels are very strong in Mexico,” Trump said.

Sheinbaum said her country is cooperating with the United States to help fight against drug trafficking, organized crime and the flow of fentanyl.

President Donald Trump speaks at his Mar-a-Lago club, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Palm Beach, Fla, as Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth listen.  (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

“I don’t believe in an invasion. I don’t even think it’s something they’re taking very seriously,” Sheinbaum told reporters in Spanish when asked about a potential U.S. intervention, according to Reuters’ translation of her remarks.

She said Trump has repeatedly insisted during their phone conversations that the U.S. Army be allowed to enter Mexico.

“We have said no very firmly — first because we defend our sovereignty, and second because it is not necessary,” Sheinbaum told reporters.