Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has sought to downplay the deaths of two CIA agents in the state of Chihuahua, amid concerns that the incident could trigger a diplomatic crisis with the Trump administration. On Monday, Sheinbaum ruled out a conflict with the United States over the matter, emphasizing that the agents were not authorized to operate in Mexico.
Sheinbaum's Stance on the Incident
During her morning news briefing, Sheinbaum expressed a desire to move past the controversy that emerged last week. She stated that while she hopes this remains an isolated case, the Mexican federal government expects the U.S. to respect Mexico's constitution and national security laws moving forward. "Let us hope this is an exceptional case ... and that a situation like this never happens again," she said.
Details of the Agents' Entry
Mexico's Ministry of Security reported on Saturday that one of the U.S. agents entered Mexico as a visitor, while the other used a diplomatic passport. The ministry reiterated that it was unaware of foreign agents operating within its territory. The CIA has declined to comment on the matter.
The deceased Americans were identified as CIA members by a U.S. official and two other individuals familiar with the matter, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the intelligence involved.
Background and Broader Context
Last year, the Mexican government reached an agreement with the Trump administration to coordinate security actions and exchange information while respecting the sovereignty of both countries. On Monday, Sheinbaum insisted that the details of the operation in Chihuahua must be clarified, urging the Attorney General's Office and relevant authorities to take action on the case following an upcoming debate in the Senate.
Chihuahua Governor María Eugenia Campos, a prominent opposition figure, has been called to testify in Mexico City on Tuesday alongside State Attorney César Jáuregui.
Historical Controversy
For decades, the presence of the CIA and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in Mexico has been a source of controversy. Their activities typically come to light only when problems arise, as happened in 2012 when a U.S. Embassy vehicle was shot at on the outskirts of Mexico City, wounding two CIA agents.
