Mexico says US agents killed in crash weren’t permitted to operate there

Two US agents, who died in a car crash last weekend, were not officially authorised to conduct operations in Mexico, the government stated. The officials, reportedly affiliated with the CIA, had taken part in a raid on drug labs in Chihuahua before their vehicle skidded off a mountain road and exploded. An investigation by Mexico’s security ministry revealed they lacked formal credentials to engage in operational activities within the country and that federal authorities were not aware of their presence.

The incident occurred on 19 April, when a convoy returning from a mission against suspected methamphetamine labs in a remote, mountainous region veered off the road and fell into a ravine. Two members of the Chihuahua State Investigation Agency were also killed, according to officials. César Jáuregui, the state attorney general, described the US officials as “instructor officers” from the embassy involved in “training work as part of the general exchange with US authorities.”

President Claudia Sheinbaum emphasized that foreign operatives must receive prior federal approval to act on Mexican soil. She reiterated that the nation’s sovereignty should not be compromised, even as she faces pressure from Donald Trump to intensify counter-narcotics efforts. While intelligence collaboration with Washington continues, Sheinbaum clarified there are “no joint operations on land or in the air.”

“Neither had formal accreditation to participate in operational activities within national territory,” the security ministry said in a statement, highlighting that Mexican law bars foreign agents from conducting operations without federal consent.

Earlier this year, a Reuters report uncovered the CIA’s long-standing covert operations in Mexico, aimed at tracking top drug traffickers. With Mexican government approval, the agency has supplied specific units with training, equipment, and financial support, including travel expenses, according to the investigation. Despite this cooperation, Sheinbaum has consistently opposed US-led military interventions, opting instead for an independent crackdown on drug trafficking to meet Trump’s demands.

The crash has intensified discussions about the scope of US-Mexico collaboration in counter-narcotics efforts. While the Trump administration has prioritized reducing drug flow through the region, Mexico insists on maintaining control over its operations. The incident underscores ongoing tensions in their relationship, particularly regarding the extent of foreign involvement in domestic security matters.