Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum affirmed on Wednesday that U.S. drone operations over Mexican airspace are conducted in collaboration with the U.S. government, emphasizing that they comply with legal protocols.

"There is ongoing cooperation," Sheinbaum stated during her routine morning press briefing. "These flights are part of a longstanding coordinated effort between both governments and have taken place for many years."

She further mentioned that Mexico is currently reviewing the legal framework governing international agencies involved in crime prevention within the country.

Her remarks come amid heightened tensions following former U.S. President Donald Trump's commitment to classify Mexican drug cartels as terrorist organizations in an effort to curb the influx of fentanyl into the United States.

On Wednesday, the U.S. officially designated multiple cartels as global terrorist organizations, as documented in a U.S. Federal Register notice.

A U.S. official clarified that the drone operations are conducted with Mexico’s approval and involve unarmed aircraft tasked with identifying fentanyl production sites.