Mexico City — Mexico’s government said Saturday that two US federal agents died in a car accident Those in the northern region of the country were not authorized to participate in operations in Mexico.
The role of two CIA agents returning from destroying a secret drug laboratory in the northern Mexican state of Chihuahua is unclear.
Local government officials have said they were part of a convoy when their car went through a ravine last weekend and the vehicle exploded. Two Mexican officers were also killed.
The killed Americans were from the CIA, The Associated Press confirmed earlier this week to a U.S. official and two other people familiar with the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive intelligence matters.
The CIA has declined to comment.
A statement from Mexico’s security ministry said one US agent entered Mexico as a visitor, while the other entered with a diplomatic passport.
It also claimed that the Mexican government was not aware of foreign agents operating or planning to participate in any operations on its soil.
The ministry said it was reviewing the case with local authorities and the US Embassy in Mexico.
“Mexican law is clear: it does not allow the participation of foreign agents in operations within the national territory,” the ministry said in a statement.
It states: “The government of Mexico Reiterates its desire to maintain close, serious, and respectful relations with the Government of the United States for the benefit of the security of both countries.
Officials of both countries have offered contradictory accounts On the issue, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum acknowledged on Wednesday that federal forces were involved, with Mexico’s government saying it had no knowledge of any operation or US involvement.
