In an update to the April 18 crash that killed two Mexican officials and two CIA agents during a joint drug lab operation in Chihuahua, President Claudia Sheinbaum demanded explanations from state authorities and the US ambassador, calling unauthorized US involvement a 'violation of the law.' Senator Javier Corral accused the state of contradictions, as reports revealed it was the CIA's third operation in the state this year.
The crash occurred on April 18 in Morelos municipality, killing Chihuahua State Investigation Agency (AEI) head Pedro Román Oseguera Cervantes, his escort Manuel Genaro Méndez, and two CIA agents who were wearing AEI uniforms during a narcolaboratory operation supported by the National Defense Secretariat (Sedena). See prior coverage on the initial federal reaction and condolences.
State prosecutor César Jáuregui Moreno initially claimed on April 21 that the agents were only in Chihuahua for training and traveling back together, not participating in the operation. However, the Los Angeles Times reported four CIA agents were involved, marking their third incursion into the state in 2026.
On April 23, Sheinbaum labeled it a 'violation of the law' lacking Secretariat of Foreign Affairs (SRE) authorization. 'It is not a challenge to our government, it is a violation of the law,' she stated, demanding clarifications from Governor María Eugenia Campos (whose contact she attempted unsuccessfully) and US Ambassador Ron Johnson.
Senator Javier Corral (PAN) denounced the Chihuahua government's 'slide of lies' amid contradictory statements, including blame on soldiers for not reporting. The Senate approved inviting Campos for a working meeting to clarify. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt urged Sheinbaum to show sympathy for the lives lost and increase anti-drug trafficking cooperation.
