Mexico City
Two instructors from the United States Embassy in Mexico City and two Mexican agents died on Sunday in a automobile accident in Chihuahua after an operation focusing on a clandestine drug laboratory, authorities mentioned.
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The victims have been a part of Chihuahua’s State Investigation Agency (AEI) and a coaching program with the US embassy, the state’s legal professional normal, César Jáuregui Moreno mentioned.
Among the deceased are the AEI regional director, Pedro Ramón Oseguera Cervantes, and his bodyguard, Manuel Genaro Méndez Montes, in addition to two instructors from the United States Embassy in Mexico.
The accident occurred on the Chihuahua–Ciudad Juárez freeway, when the officers have been getting back from an operation in the municipality of Morelos, the place state authorities dismantled a drug-processing laboratory, in keeping with preliminary stories.
Jáuregui Moreno confirmed that the 2 US instructors have been taking part in coaching work as a part of an everyday trade of safety cooperation.
“Sadly, two embassy officials who are instructors from the U.S. embassy also died, who were carrying out training work,” he mentioned.
The United States ambassador to Mexico, Ronald Johnson, in a message on X, mourned the deaths and mentioned the victims had devoted their efforts to confronting “one of the greatest challenges of our time.”
“This tragedy is a solemn reminder of the risks faced by those Mexican and US officials who are dedicated to protecting our communities,” Johnson added. “It strengthens our resolve to continue their mission and advance our shared commitment to security and justice, to protect our people.”
The accident happens amid bilateral safety cooperation between Mexico and the US, which incorporates joint operations towards drug trafficking in areas with a powerful presence of organized crime akin to Chihuahua.
Authorities haven’t but detailed the causes of the accident.