Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has strongly denied media reports suggesting that Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) operatives from the United States directly participated in deadly operations targeting drug cartels on Mexican territory. According to CNN, the CIA engaged in an expanded campaign against cartels within Mexico, including direct participation in targeted assassinations.
Key Takeaways
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum strongly denied reports that CIA operatives participated in deadly operations against drug cartels on Mexican soil. CNN reported expanded CIA campaigns including targeted assassinations, which Sheinbaum called fictitious.
- Sheinbaum denies CIA involvement in cartel operations
- CNN stands by report of CIA assassinations
- US-Mexico relations strained over corruption allegations
- DEA director testifies about official collusion with traffickers
The report pointed to a March 2026 explosion that killed Francisco Beltran, a member of the Sinaloa Cartel, as well as his driver. Sheinbaum called these reports fictitious during her morning news conference on Wednesday and said she has continued to insist that US law enforcement officials do not directly participate in operations on Mexican soil.
According to The Guardian, relations between Mexico and the United States have been strained due to accusations by Washington that Mexican officials have been complicit with drug traffickers. DEA director Terry Cole testified before the US Senate, stating that narco-traffickers and high-ranking government officials in Mexico have been conspiring for years.
The tension escalated after reports emerged of CIA agents being involved in a raid on a drug lab in northern Mexico without prior approval from the Mexican federal government. The US justice department also charged Sinaloa's governor, Rubén Rocha Moya, and other current and former Mexican officials with alleged ties to the Sinaloa cartel.
During her Thursday morning news conference, Sheinbaum said the United States has rejected at least 36 urgent detention requests submitted by Mexico for extradition, citing insufficient evidence. She argued that 'the same rules must apply to everyone,' emphasizing that if U.S. courts reject Mexican extradition requests due to lack of sufficient evidence, Mexico has the sovereign right to demand strong proof before arresting its own citizens.
Sheinbaum's remarks came in response to pressure from the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, which is seeking the arrest and extradition of 10 Mexican officials. Among them is Sinaloa Gov. Rubén Rocha Moya of the ruling Morena party over alleged ties to the Sinaloa Cartel and a faction known as 'Los Chapitos,' accusations Rocha has strongly denied.
Sheinbaum defended the case by invoking Mexico's sovereignty and demanding that Washington present conclusive evidence against the accused officials before any arrests are ordered. She emphasized that her government will not act automatically or based on political pressure from foreign agencies, stressing the importance of supporting accusations with evidence.
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