Mexico's president pledges to defend country's sovereignty, independence

MEXICO CITY, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum said Monday her government would "never" compromise on the country's sovereignty and independence and allow U.S. troops on Mexican soil.

"It must be made very clear to all Mexicans ... that we will never jeopardize our sovereignty. We will never jeopardize the independence of Mexico, a free, sovereign and independent country," Sheinbaum said at her usual morning press conference at the National Palace.

"We never subordinate ourselves, and we would never allow the U.S. army or any other U.S. institution to set foot on Mexican territory, ever," Sheinbaum said.

She said she will oppose any type of intervention by the U.S. government, including drone strikes on Mexican soil to combat drug cartels.

If an aircraft has to fly over Mexican territory, it will have "to be exclusively under Mexico's coordination and request for some type of monitoring," she added.

According to U.S. media reports, President Donald Trump is considering using drone strikes against drug cartels, groups he has designated as terrorist organizations. ■