Sheinbaum reassures Mexico after US military movements spark concern

"On Friday, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration urged U.S. aircraft operators to "exercise caution" when flying over the eastern Pacific Ocean near Mexico, Central America and parts of South America, citing "military activities." The president said her administration waited a couple hours until the U.S. government provided "written" assurance that there would not be any U.S. military flights over Mexican territory."

"She said the U.S. government had not given Mexico a heads up about any military operations. The U.S. government provided precise coordinates for where it was operating and Mexican authorities issued a statement saying the FAA advisory had no implications for Mexico. Then, images of a U.S. military transport airplane on the tarmac at Toluca's airport about 39 miles (63 kilometers) west of Mexico City began circulating on social media."

"Sen. Clemente Castaneda, 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.""

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum addressed two recent U.S. military movements near Mexico that raised tensions after the attack on Venezuela. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration advised U.S. operators to "exercise caution" over the eastern Pacific, citing "military activities." Sheinbaum said her administration waited hours for a "written" U.S. assurance that no military flights would occur over Mexican territory and that the U.S. had not provided prior notice. The U.S. gave operating coordinates and Mexican authorities said the FAA advisory had no implications for Mexico. Images of a U.S. transport at Toluca prompted questions about senate approval; officials described the stop as a logistical training operation authorized by the Defense Secretary and conducted under bilateral collaboration protocols.

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