Mexico Warns It Will Not Tolerate ‘Venezuela-Style’ Action

Mexico City, Jan 6, 2026 — Mexico has warned that it will not tolerate any “Venezuela-style” action on its soil, following the United States’ military operation in Venezuela that led to the arrest of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife.
The warning comes as US President Donald Trump, now in his second term, suggested the possibility of US military action inside Mexico, accusing drug cartels of effectively running the country and saying “something must be done.”
Although Mexico has strongly condemned the US operation in Venezuela, the government is also navigating a delicate diplomatic balance by quietly moving closer to Washington on bilateral security cooperation to prevent becoming a future target, analysts say.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum appeared visibly uneasy as she addressed the issue during her regular morning press conference on Monday, opening the briefing by reading out an official statement outlining Mexico’s position on Venezuela.
“We clearly and firmly reject interference in the internal affairs of other countries,” Sheinbaum said. “The history of Latin America clearly shows that intervention has never brought democracy, prosperity, or lasting stability.”
Since Trump returned to power, Sheinbaum’s remarks have drawn sharp criticism from pro-intervention voices in Washington, as she has emerged as one of the strongest regional opponents of Maduro’s removal through military force.
Security analysts believe that by issuing a strong condemnation of the Venezuela operation, Sheinbaum is signaling that Mexico would not accept similar unilateral US action against drug cartels inside Mexican territory.
The US Department of Justice has charged Maduro with drug trafficking, terrorism, and weapons-related offenses. On Monday, Maduro pleaded not guilty in a New York federal court, declaring himself a prisoner of war.
Behind the scenes, however, Mexican officials and security experts suggest Mexico City is likely to strengthen security cooperation with Washington following the Venezuela operation, hoping that closer collaboration will deter any unilateral US military intervention.
“Enhancing joint security cooperation and intensifying the fight against cartels is the key to avoiding one-sided US military action,” a Mexican security official said on condition of anonymity.