Mexico City, Mexico - Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Tuesday rejected an allegation by a senior US official that she encouraged demonstrations against immigration raids in Los Angeles, calling it "absolutely false."

She responded on social media after Kristi Noem, President Donald Trump's Homeland Security secretary, accused her of "encouraging violent protests."

Sheinbaum reposted a video of her daily news conference the previous day, when she had condemned violent demonstrations and urged Mexicans living in the US "to act peacefully."

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"We have always been against" violent protests, she wrote on X.

"On the other hand, our position is and will continue to be the defense of honest, hardworking Mexicans who support the United States economy and their families in Mexico," she added.

Earlier Tuesday, Noem told reporters at the White House: "Claudia Sheinbaum came out and encouraged more protests in LA, and I condemn her for that. She should not be encouraging violent protests that are going on."

Noem also sparked controversy with remarks on Monday when she took aim at Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, saying, "Well, they're not a city of immigrants, they're a city of criminals, because she has protected them for so many years."