MEXICO CITY, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Wednesday that the federal government was unaware of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) agents taking part in an anti-narcotics operation in northern Mexico to dismantle a clandestine drug lab.
The presence of U.S. agents in an operation against organized crime in Chihuahua, a state bordering Texas, "is something that should not be taken lightly," as it is a matter of national security and sovereignty, said the president.
"We are verifying whether they were accredited or not," she said at Wednesday's morning press conference regarding this case that came to light after the two American agents lost their lives in an accident in the Chihuahua mountains while dismantling drug labs.
Sheinbaum emphasized that, given this potential violation of national laws, the Foreign Ministry sent a letter to the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico requesting all relevant information and that such actions are not part of established security protocols.
"Any relationship with the U.S. government, particularly on security matters, must go through the federal government," she said, adding there had been "no knowledge" of the agents' participation. She also stressed that no U.S. government agents should operate in Mexico without authorization.
According to U.S. media, the agents' presence in Mexico only came to light after they were killed in a car accident in Chihuahua on Sunday. ■