Statements by the White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt have reignited tensions between Mexico and the United States after she publicly questioned the response of Claudia Sheinbaum to the death of two U.S. agents on Mexico.
In an interview with Fox News, Leavitt said the mexican president should show greater “compassion” for the two officers from the Central Intelligence Agency who died in a traffic accident last Sunday after participating in a counternarcotics operation. According to the spokesperson, the operation did not have the approval of the Mexican government, raising concerns about the presence and actions of U.S. agents in the country.
The incident followed a deployment linked to intelligence efforts against drug trafficking, in a context where bilateral security cooperation has been ongoing but tightly regulated. Traditionally, agents from agencies such as the CIA or the Drug Enforcement Administration operate in Mexico through coordination with local authorities, intelligence sharing, and diplomatic agreements. However, involvement in operations without explicit authorization from the Mexican government is a highly sensitive issue due to sovereignty implications.
During the interview, the host referenced recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump, who stated that “Mexico is lost and the United States is its only hope.” Leavitt added that the administration expects greater cooperation from Mexico in combating drug trafficking.
“I think the president would agree that Claudia Sheinbaum’s compassion would be appropriate given the two American lives lost, considering everything the United States is doing to stop the flow of drugs,” Leavitt said.
While acknowledging that Washington has seen “some cooperation” from the Mexican government, she stressed that more is needed. According to Leavitt, U.S. efforts are aimed not only at protecting American citizens but also at addressing violence linked to drug trafficking and human trafficking in Mexico.
So far, the Mexican government has not issued a detailed official response regarding the statements or the specific circumstances of the operation. The case has reopened debate over the limits of security cooperation and the role of foreign agencies operating within Mexican territory.
