Authorities in northern Mexico said no Americans were involved in the attack. Authorities suggested in previous statements that they were taking part in the raid.
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Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo on Monday said she wanted answers after two U.S. embassy workers were killed in a traffic accident following a drug bust in northern Mexico, calling it a question of “sovereignty.”
Sheinbaum said at a regular press conference on April 20, “I had no knowledge that there would be a direct operation between the state of Chihuahua and employees of the U.S. Embassy in Mexico.Therefore, we are seeking all information from the Chihuahua state government and the United States as well, and are evaluating whether there are any violations of national security law.” “We have been clear and have come to expect that there will be cooperation and coordination, but no joint operations on the ground.”
The Mexican president’s comments came after authorities in the state of Chihuahua announced on April 19 that a U.S. official, along with the head of the state’s investigative agency and an investigative agent, were killed in a “clandestine laboratory sabotage operation” near the border with Sinaloa state.
In a later statement, Chihuahua state authorities said the Americans were not involved in the operation and merely happened to be in the vehicle.
According to the Chihuahuan public prosecutor’s office, Mexican authorities returned from the raid and passed through an area where Americans were giving drone flying lessons, and U.S. officials asked them to ride in a government convoy to go to another location.
Prosecutors said the accident happened around 2 a.m. after their car went over a bump into “one of the ravines in the area.”
“We very much respect the sovereignty of this country and the fact that it is not subject to any kind of interference by non-citizens,” Chihuahua state prosecutor Cesar Jauregui Moreno said in a statement translated into English, adding that “we are cooperating on other programs” near the border.
It was not immediately clear why U.S. embassy personnel were directing drone operations in the area. USA TODAY has reached out to the State Department and the CIA for comment.
The US ambassador to Mexico, Ronald Johnson, appeared to suggest in a statement that Americans were involved in the drug investigation.
“I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of two U.S. embassy staff, the Director of the Chihuahua State Investigation Agency (AEI), and an AEI employee in this accident. I pay tribute to their dedication and tireless efforts in tackling one of the greatest challenges of our time,” Prime Minister Johnson said. “This tragedy is a solemn reminder of the risks facing Mexican and U.S. officials who work hard to protect our communities. This tragedy strengthens our resolve to continue their mission, advance our shared commitment to security and justice, and protect our citizens.”
Johnson’s comments came before Mexican authorities said Monday that no U.S. military personnel were involved. Their names have not been released.
