Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has ordered an investigation into the role played by two US 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 US-Mexican operations, emphasizing that foreign officials can only operate in Mexico with prior federal clearance.
The Mexican leader is under pressure from her US counterpart, Donald Trump, to enhance efforts against drug trafficking from Mexico to the United States, while insisting that Mexico's sovereignty must not be compromised. She noted, we did not have knowledge of any direct work between Chihuahua state and personnel from the US embassy.
Sheinbaum added that it is important to “understand the circumstances” surrounding the incident and evaluate its legal implications.
According to a Chihuahua state official, the two US nationals and the Mexican officers lost their lives on Sunday when their vehicle skidded off the road and fell into a ravine, exploding upon impact. The US ambassador in Mexico, Ronald Johnson, described the deceased as “US embassy personnel”.
Chihuahua State Attorney-General César Jáuregui explained that the US officials were “instructor officers” conducting training as part of the collaboration with US authorities. He reiterated that the accident occurred as they returned from an operation targeting clandestine drug labs.
Sheinbaum has requested information from the US embassy and Chihuahua state authorities regarding the operation's compliance with Mexican national security laws, which prohibit joint efforts without federal consent. She reiterated that while the Mexican government cooperates with the US, its operations on land or air do not intercede without proper authorization.
On Tuesday, the Washington Post reported that the deceased US officials were affiliated with the CIA, which has reportedly expanded its role in combating drug trafficking in the region. Past investigations have revealed that the CIA has conducted covert operations and worked alongside Mexican military units to address drug-related issues.
