Two U.S. officials who were killed in a car crash in Mexico this week were working for the CIA, according to multiple reports. The operatives died while returning from an operation to destroy a secret drug lab in Mexico.
The crash also claimed the lives of two Mexican investigators. Authorities reported that the incident occurred as the convoy was heading back after successfully completing their mission against criminal organizations’ drug labs, reports said.
Their vehicle, which was part of a five-vehicle convoy, went off the road and fell into a ravine before exploding, Mexican authorities said. The CIA’s involvement was confirmed by the three with knowledge of the crash, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, as reported by The Washington Post.
The US Embassy declined to identify the dead or say which Government entity they worked for, but did confirm the officials were ‘supporting Chihuahua state authorities’ efforts to combat cartel operations.
Trump has taken a more aggressive stance toward Latin America than any leader in recent US history, capturing Venezuela’s president, blockading oil shipments to Cuba and launching joint military operations in Ecuador, a country also marked by criminal violence.
Trump has repeatedly offered to take action against Mexican cartels, an intervention that Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has deemed “unnecessary.”
Initially, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ron Johnson, who is a former CIA employee, identified the CIA officers as personnel from the U.S. embassy. Local Mexican officials initially claimed they were collaborating with the U.S. on an operation. However, they later retracted those statements after the effort came under scrutiny from Sheinbaum.
She later stated that she was not aware of any joint operation between the Chihuahua government and the U.S., despite reports indicating that the Mexican army was also involved in the raid on the lab.
The U.S. Embassy in Mexico City issued a shelter-in-place advisory for American citizens in several Mexican states after the death of the two operatives, which American diplomatic personnel initially described as an “accident.”
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of two U.S. Embassy personnel, the Director of Chihuahua’s State Investigation Agency (AEI), and an AEI officer in this accident. We honor their dedication and tireless efforts to confront one of the greatest challenges of our time. Our thoughts and prayers are with them and their loved ones,” Johnson announced.
The ambassador also said that the tragedy underscores the risks officials face while carrying out their duties.
“This tragedy is a solemn reminder of the risks faced by those Mexican and U.S. officials who are dedicated to protecting our communities,” he said. “It strengthens our resolve to continue their mission and advance our shared commitment to security and justice, to protect our people.”
On Sunday, Mexican officials said that several officers, including people from the U.S. Embassy, died after coming back from a big operation over the weekend to shut down “clandestine drug laboratories” in Morelos.
“The Attorney General of State, Cesar Jáuregui Moreno, mourned this morning the death of elements of the State Investigation Agency, as well as two instructing officers of the United States Embassy, who died in an accident when returning from the operation of destroying clandestine laboratories in the Municipality of Morelos,” the Chihuahua State Attorney General’s Office said.
After three months of investigation, people from several agencies reportedly carried out the operation on April 17 and 18, breaking up six large-scale synthetic drug production sites.
Moreno said in a statement that one of the places was “one of the largest found in the country,” where methamphetamine and other chemical drugs were made.
Authorities said they seized a large amount of industrial equipment, such as ovens and gas cylinders, and thousands of liters of chemical precursors. They also confiscated a camp used for housing workers.