Mexican president says she does not fear Trump's threats

MEXICO CITY -- Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Wednesday said she does not fear US President Donald Trump and his threats of mass deportations, steep trade tariffs and military "intervention" to combat the drug cartels, as she has the backing of the Mexican people.

During a daily press conference, when asked if the Mexican president feared Trump's threats, Sheinbaum responded, "No. I have the support of the people. When one has certainty and conviction and knows what one's principles are, why would one be afraid?"

She allayed concerns over Trump's measures, noting there is ongoing dialogue between the two governments.

The president said she would never allow Mexico's sovereignty to be violated, but "if it were to be violated, there is an entire country to defend the homeland."

Sheinbaum's statements come one day after Trump said Mexico "is run by drug cartels," criminal organizations the US government has designated as terrorists.

Trump also accused Mexican authorities of "allowing millions of people" to enter the United States illegally and offered his "help" to stem the flow of immigration.

Officials from both countries will meet in Washington this week to negotiate the suspension of tariffs on Mexican products and strategies to combat drug trafficking, particularly the flow of fentanyl into the United States.

Sheinbaum affirmed that her government does not defend drug cartels or organized crime, saying, "What we defend is sovereignty."

Mexico will not accept any "extraterritorial measures" that arise from designating the cartels as terrorist organizations, she stated.