CNN report claims CIA facilitated' assassination of a Sinaloa Cartel operative in Mexico

"The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency on Tuesday denied that it was involved in the murder of a Sinaloa Cartel operative last March, as alleged in a CNN report. The media network claims that Francisco Beltran, known as El Payin, did not die in an accident but was murdered, and that his death was facilitated by the CIA during a covert operation carried out in the State of Mexico, on the outskirts of Felipe Angeles International Airport (AIFA), near the capital."

"The alleged assassination occurred in late March, when the car in which the cartel member was traveling exploded, also killing his driver. Preliminary reports suggested they were transporting an explosive device that was accidentally triggered. CNN asserts that the device was intentionally planted in the vehicle, citing the State of Mexico's Attorney General's Office."

"CNN's revelation fuels controversy at a time when Mexico is demanding that the Trump administration continue its war against the cartels through cooperation, not through direct incursions on the ground, which could be considered violations of national sovereignty. CIA spokesperson Liz Lyons called the report false and salacious and asserted that it serves as nothing more than a PR campaign for the cartels and puts American lives at risk."

"Mexican authorities have maintained extreme secrecy around the explosion, but multiple sources tell CNN that the attack was a targeted assassination, facilitated by CIA operations officers, the U.S. news outlet reports. These officers are responsible for recruiting and managing foreign sources to gather national security intelligence."

A report alleged that a Sinaloa Cartel operative, Francisco Beltran known as El Payin, was murdered in the State of Mexico near Felipe Angeles International Airport rather than dying in an accident. The alleged incident occurred in late March when a vehicle exploded, killing Beltran and his driver. Early accounts suggested an explosive device was accidentally triggered, but later claims said the device was intentionally planted in the car, citing the State of Mexico’s Attorney General’s Office. Mexican authorities kept details extremely limited. The CIA denied the allegations, calling them false and harmful, while sources described the attack as a targeted assassination facilitated by CIA operations officers involved in recruiting and managing foreign sources for intelligence gathering.

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