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In a response to a recent report by CNN alleging US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) involvement in lethal operations against Mexican-based drug cartels, the Mexican government has vehemently rejected the claims, insisting that all operational actions on its territory are carried out exclusively by Mexican authorities.
The report, which has drawn widespread attention and scrutiny, suggested that the CIA had been secretly working alongside Mexican officials to target high-ranking members of Mexico’s powerful drug cartels. The claims were met with swift denials from the Mexican government, which has long maintained that any and all cooperation with the US is strictly limited to intelligence sharing, institutional cooperation, and formally established mechanisms through official government channels.
“We reaffirm that the actions of Mexico’s security forces, in this case the Secretariat of National Defense (SEDENA) and the National Institute of Migration (INM), are carried out under the exclusive authority of the Mexican government,” said Security Secretary Ricardo Salinas’s spokesperson for the Mexican government in a statement. The statement further emphasized that all operational actions, including joint efforts with the US, adhere strictly to the principles of respect for sovereignty, shared responsibility, mutual trust, and cooperation without subordination.
Despite the Mexican government’s clear rejection of the CNN report, the controversy surrounding the alleged CIA involvement in drug cartel operations is set to continue. US officials have thus far declined to comment on the matter, fueling concerns about potential involvement in clandestine operations within Mexico’s territory.
Meanwhile, officials in Mexico City emphasized the importance of cooperation between the two countries, reiterating the mutually beneficial nature of the partnership. In a statement, the Mexican government highlighted the significant accomplishments of joint efforts in recent years, including successful operations that have led to the dismantling of key cartel structures and the apprehension of hundreds of high-profile individuals.
The statement read, in part, “We will continue to work together with our US counterparts in a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect, while reiterating our commitment to the principles of Mexican sovereignty and our resolve to address the complex challenges that affect us both.” As tensions surrounding the allegations persist, Mexico’s steadfast commitment to its principles of sovereignty is likely to remain at the forefront of its response to any future claims of US involvement in lethal operations on its territory.