Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has ordered an investigation into the role played by two U.S. officials in a counter-narcotics operation in the northern state of Chihuahua. The two died alongside two Mexican officials when their car crashed on their way back from an operation to destroy illegal drug labs, Chihuahua officials said. Sheinbaum stated that neither she nor senior members of the federal security team had been informed about any joint U.S.-Mexican operations.
She has insisted that foreign officials can only operate on Mexican soil if given prior clearance at the federal level. After facing pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to combat drug trafficking into the U.S., Sheinbaum maintained that Mexico’s sovereignty cannot be compromised.
She reiterated on Monday that her government was unaware of any direct collaboration with the U.S. embassy personnel. She also expressed the need to understand the circumstances of the operation and assess its legal implications. A Chihuahua state official reported that the two U.S. nationals and their Mexican counterparts died when their vehicle skidded off the road and fell into a ravine, leading to an explosion.
U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Ronald Johnson, labeled the victims as "U.S. embassy personnel". Chihuahua State Attorney-General César Jáuregui described them as "instructor officers" engaged in training activities as part of regular exchanges with U.S. authorities. The accident reportedly occurred while returning from destroying clandestine drug production labs.
On Tuesday, a report suggested that the U.S. officials were associated with the CIA, which has been expanding its operations against narcotics trafficking in the region. Previous investigations have confirmed that the CIA has conducted covert activities in Mexico, targeting drug traffickers with the cooperation of Mexican military units. With Mexican government approval, the CIA has also provided select units with training and support for operations.
She has insisted that foreign officials can only operate on Mexican soil if given prior clearance at the federal level. After facing pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to combat drug trafficking into the U.S., Sheinbaum maintained that Mexico’s sovereignty cannot be compromised.
She reiterated on Monday that her government was unaware of any direct collaboration with the U.S. embassy personnel. She also expressed the need to understand the circumstances of the operation and assess its legal implications. A Chihuahua state official reported that the two U.S. nationals and their Mexican counterparts died when their vehicle skidded off the road and fell into a ravine, leading to an explosion.
U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Ronald Johnson, labeled the victims as "U.S. embassy personnel". Chihuahua State Attorney-General César Jáuregui described them as "instructor officers" engaged in training activities as part of regular exchanges with U.S. authorities. The accident reportedly occurred while returning from destroying clandestine drug production labs.
On Tuesday, a report suggested that the U.S. officials were associated with the CIA, which has been expanding its operations against narcotics trafficking in the region. Previous investigations have confirmed that the CIA has conducted covert activities in Mexico, targeting drug traffickers with the cooperation of Mexican military units. With Mexican government approval, the CIA has also provided select units with training and support for operations.
