Mexican official faces treason charge over secret CIA raid that left two US spies dead

Mexican official faces treason charge over secret CIA raid that left two US spies dead The clandestine raid on a drug laboratory in the northern state of Chihuahua in April - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Already a member? Log in A former state attorney general in Mexico could stand trial on treason charges over accusations that he illegally authorized a joint field operation with the CIA without informing the federal government. The clandestine raid on a drug laboratory in the northern state of Chihuahua in April came to light after two CIA agents and two local officials died in a vehicle crash while returning from the location. The fatal accident raised questions regarding the Trump administration’s activities inside Mexico and angered President Claudia Sheinbaum, who has made defending national sovereignty a centerpiece of her administration. Following the fallout, state district attorney César Jáuregui resigned to allow an inquiry into the incident. He was arrested Oct. 17 on state charges of illegal exercise of public office, which a judge ruled Thursday can proceed to trial. Federal prosecutors later added a charge of treason, and a federal judge is scheduled to decide Saturday whether to allow the indictment. Mexico has long partnered with the U.S. against organized crime, though foreign operations have frequently stoked fears that American agencies disregard Mexican sovereignty. Sheinbaum and her predecessor, former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, enacted legal reforms designed to prevent foreign operatives from functioning in Mexico without explicit federal authorization. Jáuregui remains held in pretrial detention at a maximum-security prison. Héctor Villasana, one of Jáuregui’s defense attorneys, said federal prosecutors told the court in a closed hearing that they were seeking an exemplary punishment to prevent scenarios similar to the United States’ removal of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The State Department confirmed it is monitoring Jáuregui’s case but did not link the proceedings to the CIA fatalities. The incident traces back to April 19, when the Chihuahua Attorney General’s Office reported destroying a narcotics lab in the mountainous municipality of Morelos. As the team withdrew, a vehicle in the convoy left the road and fell into a ravine, killing two state agents and two Americans. The Federal Security Cabinet acknowledged that a joint operation between the state prosecutor's office and the army had dismantled labs in the area, but provided no further details. No arrests were made at the site as the suspects fled. Federal prosecutors argue Jáuregui endangered national security by allowing foreign operatives to take part in a field mission—a decision reserved solely for the federal government. Legal analysts view the charge as politically motivated ahead of Mexico's 2027 midterm elections. Treason carries a sentence of 5 to 40 years in prison, though experts note it is exceptionally difficult to prove. Samuel González, a former chief prosecutor for organized crime, said that while Jáuregui may have breached his duties by failing to notify federal authorities or by allowing foreign agents to carry firearms illegally, "even if that were the case, it would not constitute treason," which is a wartime offense. Luis Villegas, defense coordinator for the former prosecutor, called the prosecution's attempt to compare the agents' presence to a foreign "invasion" unacceptable. Carlos Pérez Ricart, a professor at the Mexican university CIDE and author of A Hundred Years of Spies and Drugs, noted that even if the case is dismissed, its public impact will be significant. Trump has repeatedly maintained that Mexico is failing to take sufficient action against cartels, while Sheinbaum’s political opponents, including Chihuahua’s governing National Action Party, have alleged she heads a "narco-government." Pérez Ricart warned that the prosecution "sends a very bad signal to Washington" and could hamper bilateral security efforts. Conflicting details remain regarding the exact role of the American operatives. Villegas stated the two deceased Americans were providing instruction on intelligence and drone usage, while U.S. Ambassador Ronald Johnson described them as "embassy personnel." The AP later confirmed they were CIA agents. Defense attorneys stated prosecutors claim the agents worked closely with the head of Chihuahua investigations, who was among the Mexican fatalities. Two additional U.S. agents traveling in a separate vehicle were later expelled from the country. Sheinbaum stated that none of the foreign operatives had permission to operate in Mexico and that the military was unaware of their presence. Sheinbaum also said she was not informed of the operation, while Jáuregui claimed the Americans joined the group after the raid. U.S. law enforcement agencies have operated in Mexico for decades. However, López Obrador restricted their activities, and Sheinbaum amended the Constitution to ban unauthorized field operations, while Mexican law prohibits foreign agents from carrying firearms. Pérez Ricart observed that informal field operations historically relied on direct trust between American officials and local authorities, stating that "these actions happen, have happened, and will continue to happen," though he warned that without clear boundaries, "they can lead to abuses." Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments