US and Mexico Reject Report of Assassination Campaign Against Cartel Leaders

US Media Report Sparks Rebuttals from CIA and Mexican Government

A report by CNN has claimed that US intelligence agents have directly participated in targeted assassinations of alleged drug cartel members in Mexico. The CIA has responded to these allegations, calling the report “false and salacious”. In a statement, CIA spokesperson Liz Lyons described the report as a “PR campaign for the cartels” that puts American lives at risk.

Mexico’s Secretary of Security Omar Garcia Harfuch has also challenged the report, stating that his government categorically rejects any version that suggests foreign agencies have conducted lethal operations on national territory. Harfuch emphasized that cooperation with the US exists and is important, but it must be carried out under clear principles of respect for sovereignty, shared responsibility, and mutual trust.

The CIA’s involvement in Mexico’s anti-cartel operations has been reported to include “passive intelligence sharing” as well as direct participation in assassination operations. The report also claimed that CIA operatives have participated in several attacks on drug trafficking syndicates since last year.

US President Donald Trump’s administration has launched an aggressive campaign against Latin American drug trafficking gangs, including Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel. This campaign has been criticized for overstepping legal and presidential norms. In response to the report, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum threatened to sanction authorities in Chihuahua state for permitting CIA personnel to participate in raids on clandestine drug laboratories.

Under a law passed by Mexico’s Congress in 2020, foreign agents operating in the country are required to share information with the government and do not enjoy diplomatic immunity. The Mexican government has reiterated its commitment to cooperation with the US, while emphasizing the need for clear principles and respect for sovereignty.

Source: Al Jazeera