President Claudia Sheinbaum reaffirmed her defence of Mexico as a free, sovereign and independent nation and stressed that any collaboration with the US government will always be on equal terms.

«We are going to defend Mexico as a free, sovereign and independent country, that we have an enormous cultural and economic wealth, and that any collaboration, coordination with the government, particularly with the United States, will always be on equal terms,» she said at her usual press conference.

Responding to a question about the next ambassador to Mexico (Ronald Johnson, a former Central Intelligence Agency official) nominated by the president-elect of the northern territory, Donald Trump, he reiterated that his administration will collaborate with the neighbouring nation, but without subordinating itself.

He said that «with this ambassador or with others we will defend our sovereignty, our equal status and we will collaborate and cooperate in everything that is required, but always in the interests of the people of Mexico and the nation».

«The entry of fentanyl into the United States, well, obviously we are going to cooperate, it is a humanitarian issue, but we also want them to cooperate so that not so many weapons enter our territory», the dignitary said, mentioning that 75 percent of these seized devices come from there.

She once again expressed her conviction that there will be an agreement with the future US government, and asserted that it will be in defence of this Latin American country and without subordinating itself to the needs of the North American nation alone.

«This is a partnership. We want to reduce violence and build peace. We want a reduction in homicides and other high-impact crimes, many of which are linked to organised crime, and that means a reduction in the entry of weapons,» he insisted.

Regarding his administration’s security strategy, he said that intelligence, investigation, coordination with the Attorney General’s Office and with the states is being strengthened, but attention to the causes continues to be the main element, as well as the aim of reducing impunity.

A fortnight ago, Trump promised to raise tariffs on goods from this Latin American country, Canada and China from the first day of his administration, in retaliation for illegal immigration and «crime and drugs», he said.

In a response described as firm by politicians, citizens and the media, Sheinbaum argued that threats and tariffs will not solve the migration phenomenon and drug use in the northern neighbour.

She said that «cooperation and reciprocal understanding are required to meet these great challenges» and warned the future president that «one tariff will be met with another in response».