A Mexican judge ordered former Chihuahua Attorney General César Jáuregui held in custody on Oct. 21 after federal prosecutors accused him of letting U.S. agents join an anti-drug operation without federal approval, in a case unfolding alongside separate state charges.
The federal case concerns an April 19 raid on a suspected drug lab in Chihuahua. Two U.S. agents and two Mexican law-enforcement officers died when a vehicle returning from the operation crashed. U.S. media have identified the Americans as CIA agents.
Mexican authorities have said the agents lacked official credentials to take part in operational activities in the country. Prosecutors allege Jáuregui broke Mexican law and put national sovereignty at risk. The charge is an accusation, not a finding of guilt.
His lawyer says Jáuregui knew about an operation to arrest suspected criminals but was not told that U.S. agents would take part. President Claudia Sheinbaum has said her federal government neither authorized nor knew about the Americans’ involvement. In a separate state case, a judge ruled on Oct. 22 that Jáuregui could face trial on a charge of illegally exercising public office.
The federal judge is expected to decide on Oct. 24 whether the treason case can proceed. Jáuregui remains in pretrial detention.