Chihuahua’s governor has signalled a willingness to improve coordination with Mexico’s federal government following a meeting with the country’s top security official, amid ongoing scrutiny over the involvement of foreign agents in state security operations.
Maru Campos, governor of Chihuahua, said after her meeting with Omar García Harfuch, Mexico’s secretary of security and citizen protection, that improving communication channels was the correct path to achieving better results in joint security efforts. Her remarks came after President Claudia Sheinbaum disclosed that she had initially tried to contact Campos directly regarding the incident but received no response, leading to the federal security secretary stepping in as the point of contact.
The discussion centred on a recent operation in the municipality of Morelos, Chihuahua, where two agents of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) died alongside two Mexican officials in an accident. President Sheinbaum confirmed during a press conference at Palacio Nacional that the federal government had sought information from the state governor about the operation, emphasizing that any collaboration with foreign governments must follow established legal procedures.
According to the president, García Harfuch informed Campos of the legal principles that must be observed when coordinating with foreign entities, noting that in this case, the proper protocol had not been followed. Sheinbaum added that the conversation was cordial and that Campos had agreed to provide information about the operational details.
The governor later acknowledged Sheinbaum’s outreach, stating that she recognized the importance of federal-state cooperation in tackling organized crime while upholding national sovereignty and legal frameworks. Campos emphasized that such collaboration must occur within the bounds of Mexican law and in an environment of institutional trust.
She similarly highlighted that joint efforts between the state and federal governments had contributed to a noticeable reduction in violence and damage caused by criminal organizations in Chihuahua, reinforcing her commitment to continued coordination.
Federal officials clarify role in Chihuahua security liaison
Following the incident, federal authorities moved to clarify the chain of communication regarding foreign agency involvement in state-level operations. President Sheinbaum explained that she had attempted to reach Governor Campos through her close team but was unable to establish direct contact, as the governor was not in her office and her private secretary did not facilitate further communication.
It was then that the president confirmed García Harfuch would serve as the liaison with the Chihuahua government on matters related to the CIA agents’ presence in the state. This shift in protocol was communicated publicly during Sheinbaum’s morning press briefing, where she stressed that all foreign agency activities on Mexican soil must comply with national legislation.
The president reiterated her stance that the presence of U.S. Agents in Chihuahua was not merely a challenge but a violation of Mexican law if conducted without proper authorization and oversight. She emphasized that any future cooperation must adhere strictly to legal requirements to avoid undermining institutional integrity.
García Harfuch, in his role as secretary of security, has been tasked with ensuring that state-level security operations involving foreign partners are conducted transparently and within the legal framework established for international cooperation.
Governor underscores commitment to institutional dialogue
In her public remarks following the meeting with García Harfuch, Governor Campos expressed alignment with President Sheinbaum’s call for unity across governmental levels to enhance national security. She stated that her administration shared the president’s view that governments, regardless of political affiliation, must collaborate to protect Mexican families and uphold the country’s sovereignty.
Campos described the improvement of communication channels as an “indeclinable” commitment for the Chihuahua state government, signaling a sustained effort to maintain dialogue with federal authorities. She noted that such coordination had already yielded tangible benefits in reducing organized crime’s impact in the region.
The governor’s office later released a statement confirming that she had acknowledged Sheinbaum’s outreach and appreciated the president’s openness to dialogue. The statement emphasized that the state remained committed to working alongside federal institutions to clarify the circumstances surrounding the Morelos operation.
While details of the ongoing investigation into the incident have not been made public, both levels of government have indicated a shared interest in determining whether proper protocols were followed during the joint activity that resulted in the fatalities.
Context of foreign agent involvement in Mexican security operations
The incident in Morelos has drawn attention to the broader issue of foreign intelligence agencies operating within Mexican territory. Mexican law requires that any collaboration with foreign governments or agencies on security matters must be authorized through formal channels and comply with national sovereignty principles.
President Sheinbaum has previously communicated to state governors that all entities engaging with foreign agencies must do so under strict legal adherence, warning that deviations from protocol could compromise both operational effectiveness and legal accountability.
The case has prompted renewed discussion about oversight mechanisms for international security cooperation, particularly as it relates to counter-narcotics operations in northern Mexican states where organized crime remains a persistent challenge.
Federal officials have not disclosed the specific nature of the operation in Morelos that led to the accident, nor have they confirmed whether the CIA agents were operating under a formal agreement with Mexican authorities at the time of the incident.
As of the latest available information, no charges or sanctions have been announced in connection with the event, and both federal and state authorities continue to review the circumstances surrounding the operation.
For ongoing updates on this developing situation, readers are encouraged to consult official communications from Mexico’s Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection and the Government of the State of Chihuahua.
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