Mexico Delivers Formal Diplomatic Protest Note to US Ambassador Over CIA Chihuahua Operation

Mexico's Foreign Affairs Ministry delivered a formal diplomatic protest note to US Ambassador Ronald D. Johnson on April 27, 2026, demanding that the United States comply with Mexico's constitution and National Security Law following the unauthorized CIA operation in Chihuahua. At her Monday mañanera, President Claudia Sheinbaum stated unequivocally that 'what matters to us is the defense of sovereignty, the Constitution, and the National Security Law' and confirmed that one of the two CIA officers who died in the April 19 Chihuahua crash had entered Mexico as a tourist while the other carried a diplomatic passport — neither was accredited for operational field work. Sheinbaum ruled out an escalation into direct US-Mexico conflict, saying the issue was being handled through diplomatic channels, but was firm that the bilateral security relationship 'must be premised on mutual respect for sovereignty.' She additionally announced that the Sheinbaum government was preparing potential sanctions against Chihuahua state authorities who coordinated with US intelligence without federal notification. Washington Times reported that Sheinbaum 'rules out a conflict with US' but maintains the bilateral security framework must respect Mexican law. The Trump administration's response — acknowledgment and a pledge to respect Mexican law — defused the most acute phase of the crisis, though Mexican Senate hearings continued. The CIA incident reshaped the bilateral security cooperation framework ahead of the May 25 USMCA formal negotiating round.