Mexico Says Rogue CIA Ops Must Never Be Repeated

(MENAFN) Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum drew a firm red line Monday, declaring that covert US operations on Mexican soil must never be repeated and insisting that two CIA agents who died while conducting unauthorized security activities in the country must be treated as a one-off exception — not a precedent.

Tensions between Mexico City and Washington have escalated sharply since April 19, when it emerged that US agents had been operating inside Mexico in security roles without govt. authorization — a direct violation of Mexican law that officials swiftly condemned as a brazen assault on national sovereignty.

"We hope this matter is clarified and that we continue collaborating and coordinating. We have no desire to enter into a conflict with the United States, but we must be very clear, make all of this public, and state that this is an exceptional case and not the rule," Sheinbaum said during her press conference.

The two Americans — confirmed to be operatives of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) — died in a car accident alongside security agents from the state of Chihuahua. Neither carried the documentation or legal authorization required to conduct security operations on Mexican territory.

Diplomatic and Political Fallout
The incident has ignited a dual crisis — straining diplomatic ties with Washington while simultaneously fueling bitter internal divisions. The ruling party Morena has come under fire from the opposition, accused of failing to confront drug cartels and of politically pressuring Chihuahua Governor Maru Campos, a member of the National Action Party (PAN).

Political figures across the spectrum have criticized Sheinbaum's management of the affair, with particular scrutiny directed at Chihuahua authorities for permitting CIA operatives to function on state soil without federal clearance.

Governor Campos has maintained that her administration had no knowledge the two US citizens were intelligence operatives, and has pledged a full investigation to establish accountability.

Sheinbaum reiterated that Mexico has no interest in rupturing its relationship with the US and remains committed to a framework of bilateral cooperation — but only on terms that fully respect Mexican law and exclude foreign agents who operate outside it.

"So we must keep working, but not with agents or US officials who do not follow Mexican procedures. Sovereignty is defended; sovereignty is not negotiable," Sheinbaum added.

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