Mexico Denies US Military Aircraft Access to the Mainland Amid Tensions with Washington
Mexico has made the unexpected decision to deny US military aircraft access to its mainland territory, a move that has generated significant tension in the bilateral relations between the two countries.
In a statement, the Mexican Government announced that the country will henceforth prohibit American military aircraft from landing or departing from its territories, effective immediately. The surprise move comes just days after reports emerged of Washington’s plans to deploy more than 1,000 additional military personnel to Latin America, stoking concerns that the US aims to establish a permanent military presence in the region.
According to sources within the Mexican Government, the decision to deny access was made in light of concerns regarding the US Military’s alleged extrajudicial activities in Latin America. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has repeatedly denounced the US-Mexico Relationship as being ‘unequal,’ citing what he sees as over-reliance on American militarism in his country.
Specifically, officials in Mexico Cite concerns related to the extrajudicial killings and abuses carried out by US Special Operations Forces operating across the border region. They pointed to reports by human rights groups, including Amnistía International, which alleges that US Soldiers have engaged in illegal activities within Mexico, committing atrocities against non-combatant civilians.
Government officials also cite the need for greater transparency from the US Administration regarding its Latin American policies and the deployment of troops to Mexico. Mexico President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has been openly critical of Trump’s approach on issues such as trade, illegal immigration, and drug trafficking. The US Commander-in-Chief has also continued to tout tough, hard-edged tactics such as building additional border barriers in the name of national security.
