MEXICO CITY – On Monday, President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico addressed rising concerns regarding recent U.S. military maneuvers near the Mexican border, which have heightened tensions following the assault on Venezuela.

Last Friday, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a warning to American aircraft operators, advising them to be “cautious” when flying over the eastern Pacific regions adjacent to Mexico, Central America, and parts of South America due to “military activities.”

President Sheinbaum stated that her government awaited official written confirmation from the United States, ensuring that there would be no U.S. military flights over Mexican airspace. She noted that Mexico had not been forewarned about any U.S. military exercises.

The U.S. government subsequently provided specific coordinates of their operations, and Mexican authorities clarified that the FAA advisory did not pertain to Mexico.

Soon after, images emerged on social media depicting a U.S. military transport aircraft stationed at Toluca’s airport, located approximately 39 miles (63 kilometers) from Mexico City, further fueling public speculation.

Sen. Clemente Castañeda, of the opposition Citizen Movement party, posted on social platform X asking for an explanation from the government, because Mexico’s senate is supposed to approve sending Mexican troops abroad or allowing foreign troops into Mexico.

Sheinbaum described it as a “logistical” operation that did not require senate approval.

“The United States plane landed, public servants got on that plane and they went (to the U.S.) for training,” Sheinbaum said. “Who authorized this? The Secretary of Defense.”

Her security cabinet had posted on X Sunday night that such training operations “occur in conformity with established protocols and in adherence to the bilateral collaboration agreements.”

Both events highlighted the sensitivity created by not only the Trump administration’s unilateral action to capture Venezuela’s then-President Nicolás Maduro earlier this month, but the subsequent renewal of offers and threats to take direct military action against the drug cartels in Mexico.

Sheinbaum and Trump spoke again last week on the subject. Both governments continue to say they will collaborate on security issues, with Mexico emphasizing that it will not accept violations of its sovereignty.

Security officials from both countries are scheduled to meet again Friday in an effort to “continue delivering tangible actions to strengthen security cooperation and meaningful outcomes to counter cartels, and stop the illicit flow of fentanyl and weapons from crossing our shared border,” according to a joint statement released last Thursday.