President Claudia Sheinbaum announced on 22/4 that Mexico is investigating a car accident in Chihuahua state that killed four people, including two US citizens. The incident occurred on 19/4, as the vehicle was returning from an anti-drug operation in a remote mountain region. The car skidded off the road, fell into a ravine, and exploded.
US Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson did not disclose information about the two US citizens, stating only that they were "embassy employees". US media, citing sources familiar with the matter, reported that the two individuals were Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) operatives.
'The Mexican military was clearly unaware of foreign personnel participating in the operation', Sheinbaum told reporters, adding that Mexico City is determining whether they violated national security laws. 'This is an issue that the Mexican people should not take lightly'.
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President Claudia Sheinbaum at a press conference in Mexico City on 22/4. Photo: AFP |
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on the same day refuted President Sheinbaum's statements, asserting that US efforts to combat drug cartels in Mexico "not only benefit the American people but also her own people".
'I believe President Donald Trump would also agree that a bit of sympathy from Ms. Sheinbaum would be greatly appreciated for the two Americans who died, considering all we are doing to prevent the scourge of drugs from Mexico reaching the US', Leavitt stated.
The White House official added that the Trump administration "wants to see more cooperation" from Mexico.
Mexico's national security law prohibits foreign operatives from operating in the country without permission from the host government. US forces coordinating directly with state-level authorities without federal Mexican government approval are considered to be acting unconstitutionally.
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White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addresses the media at the White House on 22/4. Photo: AFP |
Chihuahua is one of four Mexican states whose government is led by a member of the conservative National Action Party (PAN), which opposes Sheinbaum's ruling left-leaning Morena party. The Mexican president announced plans to meet with the governor of Chihuahua to discuss the incident.
The US has increased its military presence in the southern Caribbean region, launching operations against drug cartels there since late 2025. President Trump has repeatedly warned that the US military would act unilaterally if Mexico failed to dismantle the cartels.
President Sheinbaum has consistently rejected proposals from Washington, while allaying its neighbor's concerns by investing more in migration flow control and border vulnerabilities, promoting intelligence sharing with the US, and suppressing criminal groups.
Nhu Tam (According to AFP, AP)
