Mexico's Claudia Sheinbaum denies reports of CIA operations against cartels

"Sheinbaum has rejected a media report suggesting that Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) operatives from the United States directly participated in deadly operations targeting drug cartels on Mexican territory. In her morning news conference on Wednesday, Sheinbaum said that reports, from CNN and The New York Times, about such activity were fictitious. Imagine how big the lie is if the CIA itself needs to come out and dismiss the story, Sheinbaum told reporters. She likewise called a New York Times report a fiction the size of the universe."

"The CIA has also denied the reports, while CNN has said that it stands by its reporting. Sheinbaum has continued to insist that US law enforcement officials do not directly participate in operations on Mexican soil, despite news reports suggesting otherwise. On Tuesday, CNN quoted anonymous sources as saying that the CIA had engaged in an expanded and previously unreported campaign to attack cartels within Mexico, including by directly participating in targeted assassinations."

"Mexico's security laws require that foreign operatives receive permission from the federal government to operate on the country's soil. CNN's reporting suggested that some of the alleged CIA activity may not have been coordinated with Mexico's government, however. While Sheinbaum's government has acknowledged sharing intelligence with the US, it has rejected the prospect of US forces operating without its permission on Mexican territory. The recent CNN report has prompted condemnation on both sides of the US-Mexico border."

Claudia Sheinbaum rejected a report claiming U.S. CIA operatives directly participated in deadly operations against drug cartels on Mexican territory. She said reports from CNN and The New York Times were fictitious and described the claims as extremely false. The CIA also denied the reports, while CNN said it stands by its reporting. Sheinbaum maintained that U.S. law enforcement officials do not directly participate in operations on Mexican soil. Mexico requires foreign operatives to receive permission from the federal government to operate in the country. CNN cited anonymous sources and referenced a March 2026 explosion that killed a Sinaloa Cartel member and his driver, suggesting some alleged activity may not have been coordinated with Mexico’s government.

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