MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum quelled concerns on Monday about two recent movements of the U.S. military in the vicinity of Mexico that have the country on edge since the attack on Venezuela.
On Friday, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration urged U.S. aircraft operators to “exercise caution” when flying over the eastern Pacific Ocean near Mexico, Central America and parts of South America, citing “military activities.”
The president said her administration waited a couple hours until the U.S. government provided “written” assurance that there would not be any U.S. military flights over Mexican territory. She said the U.S. government had not given Mexico a heads up about any military operations.
The U.S. government provided precise coordinates for where it was operating and Mexican authorities issued a statement saying the FAA advisory had no implications for Mexico.
Then, images of a U.S. military transport airplane on the tarmac at Toluca’s airport about 39 miles (63 kilometers) west of Mexico City began circulating on social media.
Sen. Clemente Castañeda, of the opposition Citizen Movement party, posted on social platform X asking for an explanation from the government, because Mexico’s senate is supposed to approve sending Mexican troops abroad or allowing foreign troops into Mexico.
Sheinbaum described it as a “logistical” operation that did not require senate approval.
“The United States plane landed, public servants got on that plane and they went (to the U.S.) for training,” Sheinbaum said. “Who authorized this? The Secretary of Defense.”
Her security cabinet had posted on X Sunday night that such training operations “occur in conformity with established protocols and in adherence to the bilateral collaboration agreements.”
Both events highlighted the sensitivity created by not only the Trump administration’s unilateral action to capture Venezuela's then-President Nicolás Maduro earlier this month, but the subsequent renewal of offers and threats to take direct military action against the drug cartels in Mexico.
Sheinbaum and Trump spoke again last week on the subject. Both governments continue to say they will collaborate on security issues, with Mexico emphasizing that it will not accept violations of its sovereignty.
Security officials from both countries are scheduled to meet again Friday in an effort to “continue delivering tangible actions to strengthen security cooperation and meaningful outcomes to counter cartels, and stop the illicit flow of fentanyl and weapons from crossing our shared border,” according to a joint statement released last Thursday.
FILE - Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum speaks at the National Palace in Mexico City, Nov. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte, File)
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Luka Doncic had 51 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists, LeBron James added 18 points in his return after missing three games because of injuries and the Los Angeles Lakers used a strong third quarter to defeat the Chicago Bulls 142-130 on Thursday night.
Doncic scored 50 points for the first time as a Laker following the blockbuster trade that sent him from Dallas to Los Angeles in February 2025. It was Doncic’s 13th 40-point game in 82 appearances for Los Angeles, moving into ninth in franchise history.
Austin Reaves chipped in with 30 points, Deandre Ayton had 23 points and 10 rebounds for his 20th double-double of the season, and the Lakers’ four-game winning streak is their longest since running off seven in a row Nov. 14-30.
Los Angeles moved ahead of the idle Houston Rockets into third place in the Western Conference.
Josh Giddey scored 27 points and Matas Buzelis had 22 for the short-handed Bulls, who have alternated wins and losses over their past six games following 11 straight losses in February.
James started off sluggish after being sidelined by a right hip contusion and arthritis in his left foot, picking up his only points of the first half on a layup and free throw for a three-point play with 54 seconds remaining. The sequence sparked James, 41, and he made all five of his shots from the field in the third quarter to finish with 11 points in the period.
Giddey and Buzelis combined to go 10 for 20 from 3-point range, finding their shot in the second quarter and keeping the Bulls in striking distance for most of the game. Chicago ended up 15 for 36 from deep.
Bulls: Visit the Clippers on Friday.
Lakers: Host the Nuggets on Saturday.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) dunks against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls, Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James shoots a free throw during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls, Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) goes to the basket against the Chicago Bulls during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls, Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) goes to the basket against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) is defended during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls, Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) is defended by Chicago Bulls forward Jalen Smith, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls, Thursday, March 12, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
