The Mexican government has confirmed that two US agents who died in a car crash last weekend were operating in the country without proper authorization, sparking fresh tensions between the two allies.
The officials—reportedly CIA operatives—had participated in a raid on suspected drug labs in the northern state of Chihuahua before their vehicle plunged off a mountain road and burst into flames.
An investigation ordered by President Claudia Sheinbaum found that "neither had formal accreditation to participate in operational activities," according to Mexico's security ministry. Federal authorities had not been notified of their presence.
The incident underscores the often sensitive security relationship between Mexico and the US. Sheinbaum has faced mounting pressure from US President Donald Trump to intensify anti-drug efforts, but has consistently rejected offers for direct US-led operations on Mexican soil.
She has maintained that foreign officials may only act in Mexico with prior federal clearance, insisting on respect for Mexico's sovereignty.
On Saturday, Mexico's security ministry revealed that immigration records showed one agent entered as a "visitor," while the other held a diplomatic passport. "Neither had formal accreditation to participate in operational activities within national territory," the ministry stated, emphasizing that Mexican law prohibits foreign agents from conducting operations without federal approval.
US media have reported that the two unnamed individuals were part of an expanded CIA effort to combat drug trafficking, a key priority for the Trump administration.
The crash occurred on April 19 when a convoy returning from an operation targeting meth labs in a remote area skidded off the road and fell into a ravine. Two members of the Chihuahua State Investigation Agency also died.
Chihuahua State Attorney General César Jáuregui described the US personnel as "instructor officers" from the US embassy involved in "training work as part of the general and normal exchange we have with US authorities."
However, Sheinbaum stated last week that while intelligence-sharing continues, "there are no joint operations on land or in the air."
A Reuters investigation last September revealed that the CIA had been running covert operations in Mexico for years to track down top drug traffickers. With Mexican government approval, the CIA has provided select units with training, equipment, and financial support.
Sheinbaum has stressed her government will collaborate with Washington on security but resists US threats to deploy forces on Mexican territory. Her administration has pursued an aggressive crackdown on drug trafficking to appease Trump, who has also criticized Mexico over undocumented migration.