WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump's nominee to be U.S. ambassador to Mexico did not rule out unilateral U.S. military action in Mexico if U.S. citizens were in danger, at his U.S. Senate confirmation hearing on Thursday.

“Our first desire would be that it be done in partnership with our Mexican partners,” Ronald Johnson told the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, but added that "should there be a case where the lives of U.S. citizens are at risk, I think all cards are on the table."

The issue of unilateral U.S. military intervention in Mexico has raised tensions between the two countries, especially after Trump designated various Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has said any such operations would violate the country’s sovereignty.

"The Mexican people will under no circumstances accept interventions, intrusions, or any other action from abroad that are detrimental to the integrity, independence, or sovereignty of the nation... (including) violations of Mexican territory, whether by land, sea, or air," she said in February. REUTERS

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