Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced Monday that she does not anticipate diplomatic tensions with the United States following the deaths of two CIA operatives in an accident within Chihuahua state — operatives who Mexico claims lacked proper authorization to conduct activities on Mexican territory.
Speaking at her regular morning press conference, Sheinbaum indicated her desire to put the incident behind both nations, though she emphasized her expectation that the U.S. will honor Mexico’s constitutional framework and national security regulations in future operations.
“Let us hope this is an exceptional case … and that a situation like this never happens again,” she said.
According to Mexico’s Ministry of Security, which released information Saturday, one American operative had crossed into Mexico with visitor status, while the second had used diplomatic credentials for entry. Officials stressed they had no knowledge of foreign intelligence personnel conducting operations within Mexican borders.
The CIA has refused to provide any statement regarding the matter.
Sources familiar with the intelligence operation confirmed to The Associated Press last week that the deceased Americans were indeed CIA personnel, though they requested anonymity given the classified nature of the circumstances.
The Trump administration and Mexican officials previously established a framework last year designed to facilitate coordination and information sharing on security matters while maintaining respect for both nations’ sovereignty.
Sheinbaum emphasized Monday that complete transparency regarding the Chihuahua operation remains necessary, calling on the Attorney General’s Office and other relevant agencies to pursue the matter following upcoming Senate discussions.
Chihuahua Governor María Eugenia Campos, a leading opposition politician, has been summoned to appear in Mexico City Tuesday along with State Attorney César Jáuregui for testimony.
The presence of CIA and Drug Enforcement Administration personnel in Mexico has generated disputes for many years. These operations typically become public knowledge only when incidents occur — similar to a 2012 shooting involving a U.S. Embassy vehicle near Mexico City that left two CIA operatives injured.
