MEXICO CITY - Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum publicly rejected a report by CNN that claimed the CIA was conducting deadly operations within Mexican territory. In a strong statement, Sheinbaum accused the U.S.-based news organization of trying to harm both the government and the citizens of Mexico. She emphasized that such narratives undermine Mexico's sovereignty and its standing in the international arena.
On Tuesday, CNN reported that the CIA had facilitated a targeted assassination of a Sinaloa cartel member along a highway outside Mexico City. This revelation led to widespread backlash and concern in Mexico. Following CNN's report, The New York Times added that while Mexican military forces executed the operation, the CIA had supported it with planning assistance, raising further questions about U.S. involvement in Mexican affairs.
During a morning press briefing, Sheinbaum vehemently called the CNN account a "lie." When pressed on the subsequent New York Times report, she described it as “a fiction the size of the universe.” Her administration’s response indicates a desire to assert national control and distance itself from allegations of foreign interference.
Liz Lyons, a spokesperson for the CIA, echoed Sheinbaum's sentiments by criticizing the CNN report on social media platform X. She labeled it as “false and salacious reporting,” arguing that it acted solely to serve the interests of drug cartels and endanger American lives. CNN has not yet provided a public statement responding to these charges.
Despite her criticism of the media, Sheinbaum’s administration is facing increasing scrutiny due to various scandals related to the United States. This comes as she navigates complex negotiations regarding a free trade agreement and confronts threats from U.S. President Donald Trump concerning cartel activities in Mexico. Maintaining a strong relationship with Washington is critical for Mexico at this juncture, especially as collaborations against drug trafficking intensify.
In recent weeks, Sheinbaum has underscored Mexico's sovereignty, a claim that remains contentious amid rising tensions surrounding drug cartels and intelligence operations. Last month, two CIA agents were killed in a car accident alongside local Mexican investigators, an incident linked to an anti-narcotics operation in the northern state of Chihuahua. Sheinbaum stated she had no knowledge of the operation, while both Mexican and U.S. officials appeared to provide conflicting accounts for days.
Complicating matters further, a New York court recently charged a governor from the Sinaloa region—identified as a high-ranking member of Sheinbaum’s political party and former ally of her predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador—with drug trafficking and weapons offenses. This accusation implicates the official in the large-scale importation of illicit narcotics into the United States, adding pressure on Sheinbaum’s government amid its ongoing efforts to handle cartel violence and U.S. relations.
As the situation develops, the stark allegations regarding U.S. involvement in Mexico's domestic issues and the challenges facing Sheinbaum's administration signal a critical period in the nation's political landscape.
