Mexico denies CNN and denies CIA involvement in the operation against “El Payín”

The head of the Ministry of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC) in MexicoOmar García Harfuch, categorically rejected the version broadcast by the CNN network about the alleged participation of the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in a lethal operation that occurred in Tecámac, State of Mexicowhere an alleged criminal leader known as “El Payín” would have died.

Through his official account on X, the federal official assured that The Government of Mexico “categorically rejects any version that seeks to normalize, justify or suggest the existence of lethal, covert or unilateral operations by foreign agencies in national territory.”

The statement came after CNN published a report in which it stated that “the CIA intensifies secret war against cartels with lethal operations inside Mexico,” linking the explosion registered in Tecámac with US covert actions. According to the network, United States intelligence agencies have increased their operational participation against Mexican criminal organizations.

In its positioning, García Harfuch emphasized that all security actions in national territory correspond solely to the Mexican authorities.

“In Mexico, operational actions correspond exclusively to the competent Mexican authorities. Any international cooperation is limited to the exchange of information, institutional coordination and formal mechanisms established by the Government of Mexico,” wrote the Secretary of Security.

The official also defended bilateral cooperation with the United States, although he clarified that this is carried out “without subordination” and under principles of “respect for sovereignty, shared responsibility, mutual trust and institutional cooperation.”

“Cooperation with the United States exists, it is important and has given relevant results for both countries,” he said.

According to reports from Mexican authorities and security sources cited by national media such as Milenio and El Universal, “El Payín” was identified as an alleged criminal operator related to drug trafficking activities and fuel theft in the Valley of Mexico area and the north of the State of Mexico.

The explosion in Tecámac, which occurred in recent days, would have resulted from the handling of explosives and chemical cloth inside a building under surveillance by federal authorities. However, so far the Government of Mexico has not officially confirmed the identity of the victims or precise details of the operation.

The controversy over the presence of US agents in anti-drug operations in Mexico has grown since last April, when it emerged that four CIA agents participated in the location of a clandestine laboratory in the mountains of Chihuahua.

In that case, two agents died in a vehicle accident and newspaper reports indicated that they were disguised as elements of the Chihuahua State Investigation Agency, which triggered strong tensions between the federal and state governments.

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