Mexico’s president says she is unaware of any joint operation with U.S. officials after two U.S. men were killed in a car crash in Chihuahua state
After two U.S. officials were killed in a car crash in Mexico’s largest state of Chihuahua, President Claudia Scheinbaum said she did not know what action they were involved in because she had not been informed. It was reportedly a covert operation in northern Chihuahua state to dismantle a clandestine drug laboratory and also involved Mexican officials. But the U.S. government has not disclosed the identities of the two victims of the crash, and the Mexican government has not provided any details. Instead, Sheinbaum denied knowledge of any joint operation.“The security cabinet was not aware that this was an operation,” Scheinbaum told reporters. “We were not informed; it was the decision of the Chihuahua state government.”Sheinbaum said her administration would investigate the incident to ensure there were no violations of the law following Sunday’s deaths, adding that state governments must obtain authorization from Mexico’s federal government to cooperate with U.S. and other foreign entities “as required by the Constitution.”
CIA officer killed Chihuahua car accident?
Chihuahua state Attorney General César Jáuregui said four officials died when their car skidded into a ravine. They drove in the middle of the night through the rugged mountains that connect the states of Chihuahua and Sinaloa as they returned from an operation to destroy a crime syndicate’s laboratory.In a press release, the state Attorney General’s Office identified the two crash victims as State Investigative Agency First Commander Pedro Roman Oceguera Cervantes and Officer Manuel Genaro Méndez Montes. However, the names of the U.S. officials have not been disclosed. The New York Times said they were members of the CIA.U.S. Ambassador Ronald Johnson acknowledged the deaths of the two U.S. officials and posted messages of condolence on social media. “We are deeply saddened by the tragic deaths of two U.S. Embassy staff members, the Director of the National Institute of Investigation (AEI) in Chihuahua, and an AEI officer in this accident. We salute their dedication and tireless efforts to address one of the greatest challenges of our time. Our thoughts and prayers are with them and their loved ones,” he said.He added: “This tragedy is a solemn reminder of the risks faced by Mexican and U.S. officials working to protect our communities. It strengthens our resolve to continue fulfilling our mission and advance our shared commitment to security and justice to protect our people.”But as controversy began to heat up over whether U.S. officials were operating on Mexican soil, local officials said there were no U.S. agents involved in the operation and that U.S. officials joined the group after the operation and were hours away from where it took place.
