U.S., Mexico Deny CIA Had Lethal Role in March Cartel Killing
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 13
U.S., Mexico Deny CIA Had Lethal Role in March Cartel Killing
7 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 13
U.S. and Mexican officials said the CIA did not play a lethal, on-the-ground role in the March killing of Francisco Beltran, a midlevel cartel operative outside Mexico City.
Officials said the agency provided intelligence on Beltran’s location and helped plan the operation, but CIA officers were neither present at the attack nor advising Mexican forces in person.
The denials followed a CNN report Tuesday that described the car bombing as a targeted assassination facilitated by CIA officers and said the agency had joined multiple deadly attacks on cartel members since last year.
The dispute lands amid pressure from President Donald Trump for tougher action against cartels, while President Claudia Sheinbaum says Mexico accepts U.S. intelligence and training but rejects American boots on the ground.
If killing cartel leaders increases violence, is the current 'kingpin strategy' making the U.S. and Mexico less safe?
Amidst sovereignty disputes, what does successful U.S.-Mexico security cooperation against cartels actually look like on the ground?