President Sheinbaum spars with Washington over the role of Americans in a Chihuahua anti-drug operation
3-MIN READ3-MINBloombergPublished: 11:33am, 23 Apr 2026The death of US officials following an operation to dismantle a drug lab in northern Mexico is escalating tensions with Washington, as President Claudia Sheinbaum insists her government was unaware of their involvement.
At a news conference, Sheinbaum said Mexican security officials involved in the operation were never told about the presence of foreigners, which she described as a clear breach of security protocols. A person familiar with the matter confirmed that the two US nationals worked for the Central Intelligence Agency.
“The Defence Ministry was unaware that there were individuals involved who were not Mexican citizens and who were not affiliated with state security agencies,” Sheinbaum said on Wednesday, adding that her foreign minister sent a letter to the US ambassador to Mexico seeking more information and reiterating existing security protocol. “This is something that should not be taken lightly.”
Later on Wednesday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt suggested that Sheinbaum should have expressed “sympathy” for the deaths of the American agents, but acknowledged that Mexican authorities have worked with the US to help combat cross-border drug trafficking.
Leavitt added that US President Donald Trump “always wants to see more cooperation”.
