MEXICO CITY — Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced Monday that she will seek explanations following the weekend deaths of four U.S. Embassy and Mexican officials, revealing that her administration had no knowledge of cooperation between American personnel and regional authorities in northern Chihuahua state.
The president stated she wants to verify that no regulations were violated following Sunday’s fatalities, which Chihuahua’s top prosecutor said happened as the officials were traveling back from a mission to eliminate illegal drug production facilities in a remote location.
“It was not an operation that the security cabinet was aware of,” Sheinbaum informed reporters. “We were not informed; it was a decision by the Chihuahua government.” She emphasized that such state-level partnerships must receive federal government approval “as established by the Constitution.”
The incident occurs amid growing demands from U.S. President Donald Trump for Sheinbaum’s government to intensify efforts against drug cartels. Trump’s administration has initiated joint military actions in Ecuador.
Chihuahua’s Attorney General César Jáuregui reported Sunday that the officials perished while returning from the mission to dismantle facilities belonging to criminal organizations believed to be manufacturing narcotics. Among the deceased were two local government investigators and two embassy trainers who Jáuregui said were taking part in standard training exercises.
Authorities have released limited information about what happened. U.S. Ambassador Ronald Johnson posted condolences on social media without detailing his staff members’ specific duties.
Sheinbaum promised additional details would emerge once all information is compiled, but emphasized that “there are no joint operations on land or in the air,” only mutual intelligence sharing between her administration and the U.S., conducted within a “well-established” legal structure.
The president said she plans to arrange a Monday meeting between Johnson and Mexico’s foreign minister.
Although U.S. training of Mexican security personnel is routine, their physical presence on Mexican soil has sparked ongoing controversy, which has grown more intense following Trump’s military interventions in Venezuela and Iran.
The latest dispute emerged in January regarding the arrest in Mexico of former Canadian athlete Ryan Wedding, one of America’s most sought-after fugitives. Mexican authorities maintain he surrendered at the U.S. Embassy, while American officials have characterized his apprehension as a binational operation.
Sheinbaum’s statements coincided with the start of second-round talks between the United States and Mexico concerning the North American trade pact, the USMCA, taking place in Mexico City. The American delegation is headed by Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, who was set to meet with the president Monday.
