MEXICO CITY – President Claudia Sheinbaum announced Monday that Mexico delivered a diplomatic note to the United States, insisting that unapproved U.S. officials must not join future anti-narcotics raids after two Americans died in a Chihuahua state operation.
The clash surfaced following a April 19 car wreck that claimed the lives of two U.S. personnel alongside two Mexican colleagues. Sheinbaum stressed her administration had no prior knowledge of their involvement, Reuters sources identified the Americans as CIA officers. During her regular morning briefing, she stated: “What we told (the U.S.) was that the federal government didn’t know about the involvement of these people (in the operation) and we hope that it’s an exception.”
Mexico urged adherence to its constitution and national security laws moving forward, with Sheinbaum noting U.S. assent to the demand. On Saturday, Mexico’s security cabinet declared the U.S. individuals operated without proper credentials for security work; one had arrived as a tourist.
The fatalities reignited frictions in bilateral security ties. U.S. agents in cartel crackdowns remain a raw nerve for Mexico. Sheinbaum has voiced support for intel exchanges and joint efforts but drawn a firm line against American operatives on Mexican soil.
U.S. President Donald Trump, by contrast, has pushed for expanded American military action against cartels and warned of unilateral steps if Mexico falls short.