Sheinbaum not aware of U.S. joint operations in Chihuahua after death of 2 embassy personnel

The U.S. Embassy in Mexico said Sunday that two of its employees have been killed in northern Mexico alongside two Mexican state officials.

The four died in an accident returning from an operation to destroy alleged clandestine drug laboratories, according to the attorney general in the Mexican state of Chihuahua.

In a statement on social media, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson mourned the deaths but did not specify many details, including the roles of the U.S. personnel killed.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Monday that her administration was not aware Chihuahua state investigators were working with U.S. embassy personnel. She said the state officials must have federal authorization for collaboration with the United States on joint operations.

The issue of U.S. agents working inside Mexico has long been controversial in the country. Mexico has been under pressure to crack down on cartels from the Trump administration, and President Donald Trump has suggested he would consider using U.S. firepower to further that goal.

“We have been clear that there is collaboration and coordination [with the United States,] but there are no joint operations on the ground,” Sheinbaum said.

She said she would call for a meeting between Johnson and Mexico’s foreign minister.