In brief
The Mexican government has revealed that two U.S. agents who died in a crash during an operation against suspected drug labs in Chihuahua were not authorized to operate in the country. This incident has highlighted ongoing tensions regarding U.S. influence and operations within Mexico, particularly concerning drug trafficking.
The Mexican government says two U.S. agents who died last weekend in a car crash had not been authorised to operate in the country.
The officials, who reportedly worked for the CIA, had taken part in a raid on suspected drug labs in the northern state of Chihuahua before their vehicle skidded off a mountain road and exploded.
Following an investigation ordered by President Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico's security ministry stated that neither had formal accreditation to participate in operational activities and that federal authorities were not informed of their presence.
The incident occurs amidst delicate relations between Mexico and the U.S. regarding counter-narcotics efforts. Sheinbaum has been under pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to intensify the fight against drug trafficking but has consistently resisted U.S.-led operations on Mexican soil.
Sheinbaum has maintained that foreign agents must obtain prior approval from the federal government to conduct any activities in Mexico, asserting that national sovereignty should not be compromised.
The security ministry confirmed that immigration records indicated one of the agents entered Mexico as a visitor while the other had a diplomatic passport. Both lacked the necessary accreditation for operational engagement within Mexican territory as stipulated by Mexican law.
Reports have noted that the crash occurred on April 19, involving a convoy returning from an operation when it veered off the road into a ravine. Two members of the Chihuahua State Investigation Agency were also fatalities in the crash.
Chihuahua State Attorney General César Jáuregui mentioned that the U.S. officials were engaged in training roles with officials from the embassy. However, Sheinbaum clarified that despite ongoing intelligence sharing, there were no joint operations on land or in the air.
Last September, an investigation uncovered that the CIA had been running covert operations in Mexico aimed at tracking down notorious drug traffickers. Under the Mexican government's approval, the CIA has provided selected units with training, equipment, and financial support for operations.
Sheinbaum's administration has taken a tough stance against drug trafficking to alleviate criticism from Trump, who has equally berated Mexico for undocumented migration along their shared border.
