Mexico's Sheinbaum Denies CIA Cartel Operations Reports

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has firmly rejected recent reports by CNN and The New York Times alleging that Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) operatives conducted direct, lethal operations against drug cartels on Mexican soil. During her daily press conference, Sheinbaum labeled the allegations as fictitious, describing the New York Times report as a 'fiction the size of the universe.' The CIA also denied the claims, with spokesperson Liz Lyons condemning the reporting as false and dangerous. While Mexico’s Security Secretary Omar Harfuch acknowledged ongoing intelligence cooperation with the United States, he categorically rejected any narrative suggesting unauthorized foreign unilateral actions. The controversy stems from a CNN report citing anonymous sources about an expanded CIA campaign, including involvement in a March 2026 explosion that killed Sinaloa Cartel member Francisco Beltran. This incident follows earlier rumors regarding US officials dying in a car crash in Chihuahua. Sheinbaum maintains that while intelligence sharing occurs, US law enforcement does not participate directly in operations within Mexico without federal permission, emphasizing national sovereignty and legal requirements for foreign operative presence.