At least four operatives from the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) have participated in three anti-drug operations in the state of Chihuahua this year, the *Los Angeles Times* asserted this Wednesday.
Referring to the deaths of two CIA agents last weekend—after they joined an operation against drug trafficking in the northern Mexican state—the *Los Angeles Times* reported that, “according to sources, Sunday’s raid was at least the third time this year that CIA agents joined authorities in the northern border state of Chihuahua in an operation against a drug-trafficking target.”
The four agents who participated in Sunday’s raid wore uniforms from Chihuahua’s State Investigation Agency to blend in with Mexican officials, according to people familiar with the operation who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal matters. A CIA spokesperson stated that the agency could not comment on the matter, the *Los Angeles Times* added.
The other two CIA agents, who were following them in a pickup truck, descended the mountain on foot in the hope of saving their colleagues, but it was already too late, according to a person familiar with the incident.
“U.S. agencies, including the CIA, regularly provide intelligence to Mexican police and military forces, but the participation of foreign agents in law enforcement operations is prohibited by the Mexican Constitution,” the *Los Angeles Times* added.
In this context, Fox News journalist Martha MacCallum noted yesterday that U.S. President Donald Trump told her that “Mexico is lost, and the United States is its only hope.”
MacCallum did not show any video or recording of her interview with the tycoon.
Later, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt asserted to the same journalist that Mexico’s President, Claudia Sheinbaum, should show more “compassion” for the two CIA agents who died in Chihuahua. “I believe that the President (Trump) would agree that Claudia Sheinbaum’s compassion and empathy would be a worthwhile return for the two American lives that were lost—considering everything the United States is currently doing under this presidency to halt the scourge of drug trafficking flowing through Mexico into the United States,” Leavitt said in an interview with McCallum, broadcast on Fox News.
“I believe the President always wishes to see greater cooperation when our actions benefit not only the American people but also their people—specifically in combating these cartels and once again eradicating the scourge of drug trafficking and human trafficking, which has plagued Mexico for far too long and claimed far too many American lives,” Leavitt stated.
Since his return to the White House in January 2025, Trump has exerted intense pressure on Mexico—accompanied by threats to impose tariffs—should it fail to curb the flow of drugs and migrants into the United States.
