Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum says her government was not informed of US agents’ presence before a deadly car accident following a drug raid.
MEXICO CITY: President Claudia Sheinbaum said her government was unaware of the presence of two US officials in northern Mexico before they were killed in a car accident.
“We were not informed,” Sheinbaum told reporters on Monday, a day after the United States confirmed the deaths.
Sheinbaum stated the US agents were on Mexican territory on the orders of the Chihuahua state government. She clarified the operation was not known to the federal security cabinet.
Her administration is now requesting information from US and state authorities to examine potential national security violations.
The state prosecutor of Chihuahua said the four were returning from a raid of clandestine drug labs when their car skidded off the road. Prosecutor Cesar Jauregui said six synthetic drug labs were raided in Morelos following a three-month investigation.
He identified the Americans as “instructor officers” carrying out training tasks as part of bilateral anti-drug cooperation.
US Ambassador Ronald Johnson confirmed the two Americans worked at the US Embassy in Mexico. He identified the deceased Mexicans as the director of Chihuahua’s State Investigation Agency and an officer from that agency.
“We honor their dedication and tireless efforts to confront one of the greatest challenges of our time,” Johnson wrote on social media.
He added the tragedy strengthens the resolve to continue the mission of protecting communities.
