CIA-Chihuahua Diplomatic Row — US-Mexico Intelligence Friction at Border

On April 19, 2026, a DEA/CIA-linked operation in Morelos, Chihuahua targeting fentanyl labs resulted in a convoy crash killing 2 US Embassy officers and 2 Mexican AEI state investigators. Governor Maru Campos of Chihuahua (PAN) had authorized the US intelligence presence without notifying the federal government. President Sheinbaum threatened federal sanctions against the governor and ordered the SRE to issue a formal diplomatic protest. US Ambassador Johnson acknowledged the incident but defended cross-border intelligence cooperation under FTO designation authorities.