“Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke today with Mexican Foreign Secretary Juan Ramón de la Fuente to discuss the need for stronger cooperation to dismantle Mexico’s violent narcoterrorist networks and stop the trafficking of fentanyl and weapons,” said Tommy Pigott, principal deputy spokesperson for the State Department. “Secretary Rubio reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to stopping narcoterrorism and stressed the need for tangible results to protect our homeland and hemisphere.”    

The call between Rubio and de la Fuente came just days after President Donald Trump claimed “cartels are running Mexico” and announced the U.S. would “hit land” to start cracking down on their operations. The communication also followed statements by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum about the potential strikes on Mexican land, claiming it would be a violation of their sovereignty.

“Few Mexicans agree with an intervention,” said Sheinbaum during a press conference last week. “Not only does it not help, who are they going to bomb? But also our sovereignty will be defended.”

On Friday, before de la Fuente’s call with Rubio, Sheinbaum spoke about Trump’s comments again and efforts to combat narcotrafficking and cartel operations. She urged more substantial cooperative efforts between Mexico and the U.S.

“Yesterday, I asked Foreign Minister Juan Ramon de la Fuente to make direct contact with the (U.S.) Secretary of State and, if necessary, speak with President Trump to strengthen coordination,” Sheinbaum said during a press conference on Friday.

RUBIO OUTLINES THREE-STEP PLAN ABOUT WHAT COMES NEXT FOR VENEZUELAN GOVERNMENT

Still, recent comments suggest Trump’s frustration with Mexico on the country’s lack of results in dismantling the cartels in the country and the drug trafficking networks that illegally smuggle drugs, such as fentanyl, into the U.S.

“Mexico has to get their act together because they’re pouring through Mexico and we’re going to have to do something,” Trump said last week during a press gaggle aboard Air Force One. “We’d love Mexico to do it. They’re capable of doing it. But unfortunately, the cartels are very strong in Mexico.”