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Washington D.C. – The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has issued a statement forcefully denying a report published by CNN claiming the agency is involved in targeted assassinations of cartel operatives in Mexico.
In a press briefing today, CIA Spokesperson Liz Lyons categorically refuted the allegations, stating that the report is “false and salacious” and that it “serves as nothing more than a PR campaign for the cartels and puts American lives at risk.”
The CNN report, published Tuesday, cited unnamed sources claiming that the CIA had been carrying out covert operations to eliminate key figures within Mexican cartels, sparking concerns over the potential for escalation and blowback. However, Lyons maintained that the agency has not been involved in such activities and that the allegations are unfounded.
“When reports like this are published, it creates a vacuum of trust and understanding between our government and the public,” Lyons stated. “We’ve seen time and again how these kinds of unfounded reports can be exploited by our adversaries, and we will not let that happen on our watch.”
Lyons emphasized that the CIA is committed to working closely with its Mexican counterparts to disrupt and dismantle the country’s powerful cartels, but that such efforts are intelligence-led and grounded in a deep understanding of the complex security landscape.
“We stand by the professionalism and expertise of our officers, who work tirelessly to protect American lives and interests while upholding the highest standards of integrity and compliance,” Lyons said.
The denouncement by the CIA comes as the international focus on Mexico’s deadly cartel conflict continues to grow. While the U.S. government has expressed support for Mexico’s efforts to combat the cartels, tensions remain high, particularly given the rising tide of violence and the increasingly brazen tactics employed by some cartel groups.
For its part, CNN has yet to issue a formal statement or retract its report, but the CIA spokesperson made it clear that the agency will not engage in speculative discussions about unsubstantiated claims. “We expect more from our media partners, and we expect them to uphold the same standards of accuracy and accountability that we do,” Lyons said.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether the CIA’s denunciation will be enough to alleviate concerns about the agency’s alleged involvement in targeted killings. What is clear, however, is that the CIA is resolute in its commitment to transparency and cooperation with international partners, and it will not be swayed by unsubstantiated claims or sensationalized reporting.