Mexican president seeks tough punishment for foreign spies

MEXICO CITY: Mexico´s president warned on Friday that foreigners engaging in espionage not authorised by her government will face severe punishment under planned constitutional reforms announced after Washington designated drug cartels as terrorist organisations.

Claudia Sheinbaum outlined two proposals sent on Thursday to Congress, which is dominated by her coalition, after Trump targeted eight Latin American drug trafficking groups, including six from Mexico.

“Any foreigner who carries out an activity that is not within the framework of collaboration, coordination and the national security law, if arrested, will be given the most severe penalty possible,” she told a news conference. While Sheinbaum has pledged to cooperate with Washington, she warned on Thursday that her country would never tolerate an “invasion” of its national sovereignty, amid concerns about possible US military action against cartels.

She said her planned constitutional reforms would protect “the integrity, independence and sovereignty of the nation” including against the violation of its territory by land, air or sea. It would also prohibit any foreign participation in investigations or prosecutions without the country´s authorisation, she added.