Sheinbaum Denies Reports of CIA Lethal Operations in Mexico

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Wednesday rejected reports claiming U.S. Central Intelligence Agency involvement in lethal operations targeting drug cartels on Mexican territory. Speaking at a news conference, Sheinbaum called the allegations fictitious and said the CIA had also denied them. Her comments marked the highest-level response so far from Mexico’s government to the claims.

The reports alleged an “expanded and previously unreported” CIA campaign in Mexico that included targeted assassinations. Sheinbaum said U.S. law enforcement officials do not directly participate in operations on Mexican soil. Mexico has acknowledged intelligence sharing with the United States but has repeatedly said foreign forces cannot operate in the country without permission.

Mexico’s security laws require foreign operatives to receive federal government authorization to work in the country. The reporting suggested some of the alleged CIA activity may not have been coordinated with Mexican authorities, which Mexico has said would violate its sovereignty.

Denials from Mexico and the CIA

The CIA also rejected the allegations. CIA spokesperson Liz Lyons described the reporting as “false and salacious,” according to a social media post cited in the report.

Mexico’s Security Secretary Omar Harfuch said cooperation with the United States exists, but he denied any lethal, covert or unilateral action by foreign agencies inside Mexico. He said the government “categorically rejects any narrative that seeks to normalize, justify, or suggest the existence of lethal, covert, or unilateral operations by foreign agencies within national territory.”

Report cites March 2026 explosion

The reports pointed to a March 2026 explosion that killed Francisco Beltran, described as a member of the Sinaloa Cartel, as well as his driver. The account cited anonymous sources in describing alleged CIA involvement.

The dispute comes as scrutiny of potential U.S. covert activity in Mexico has grown since President Donald Trump began a second term in 2025. Trump has sought to pressure Mexico on crime, border enforcement and drug trafficking, including by using tariffs on imported goods as leverage, while Mexico has warned against unilateral action that it says would breach its sovereignty.

Officials in both countries have continued to emphasize cooperation through intelligence sharing, while rejecting claims that U.S. agencies carry out lethal operations in Mexico without authorization.