Ex-Mexican Attorney General Faces Treason Charges in CIA Operation Gone Wrong

A former Mexican state attorney general, César Jáuregui, is facing treason charges for allegedly authorizing a joint operation with the CIA without federal government approval, an action that led to the deaths of two U.S. agents and two Mexican officials. Jáuregui, who resigned from his post as attorney general of Chihuahua, was arrested on Oct. 17 on state charges of illegal exercise of public office. A federal judge will now decide whether to allow the treason indictment.

The operation in question targeted a drug lab in the northern state of Chihuahua on April 19. During the return trip, a vehicle carrying CIA agents and state officials veered off the road and fell into a ravine, resulting in the fatalities. The U.S. State Department acknowledged awareness of Jáuregui's case but did not link it to the deaths.

Federal prosecutors contend that Jáuregui endangered national security by allowing U.S. agents to participate in the field operation, a decision exclusively reserved for the federal government. Defense attorneys for Jáuregui have argued that the U.S. agents were present for training related to intelligence and drones, and that comparing their presence to a foreign invasion is unacceptable. They also claim the federal prosecution's pursuit of an exemplary punishment is politically motivated.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has made the defense of national sovereignty a key tenet of her administration, and recent legal changes aim to prevent foreign agencies from operating in Mexico without explicit federal consent. The treason charge carries a potential sentence of 5 to 40 years, though legal experts note it is difficult to prove, particularly as it is typically considered a wartime crime.

According to the Chihuahua Attorney General's Office, the operation successfully dismantled laboratories used for producing synthetic drugs. However, the operation concluded without arrests as the perpetrators fled. The federal security cabinet confirmed the dismantling of laboratories but provided few details. The U.S. ambassador to Mexico, Ronald Johnson, initially described the deceased Americans as "embassy personnel," but the Associated Press later confirmed they were CIA agents.

The incident has fueled political debate, with some viewing the charges as politically motivated ahead of upcoming elections. Experts suggest the case could negatively impact anti-drug efforts and bilateral cooperation between Mexico and the U.S. The presence of U.S. intelligence agencies in Mexico has a long history, often operating with state or local officials, though recent administrations have sought to assert greater federal control over such activities.