Envoy: Two US embassy personnel killed in Mexico "accident"

U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson said on April 20 that two U.S. Embassy personnel have been killed in what officials described as an “accident” in Mexico.

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of two U.S. Embassy personnel, the Director of Chihuahua’s State Investigation Agency (AEI), and an AEI officer in this accident. We honor their dedication and tireless efforts to confront one of the greatest challenges of our time. Our thoughts and prayers are with them and their loved ones,” Johnson said in a post on X.

The ambassador added that the incident highlighted the dangers faced by officials in the line of duty.

“This tragedy is a solemn reminder of the risks faced by those Mexican and U.S. officials who are dedicated to protecting our communities,” he said. “It strengthens our resolve to continue their mission and advance our shared commitment to security and justice, to protect our people.”

Details of the incident, including its precise location and nature, remain unclear. It was not immediately known whether the U.S. personnel were American citizens.

Authorities in Chihuahua said multiple officers, including U.S. Embassy personnel, died after returning from a major operation to dismantle clandestine drug laboratories in the municipality of Morelos.

“The Attorney General of State, Cesar Jáuregui Moreno, mourned this morning the death of elements of the State Investigation Agency, as well as two instructing officers of the United States Embassy, who died in an accident when returning from the operation of destroying clandestine laboratories in the Municipality of Morelos,” the Chihuahua State Attorney General’s Office said.

State Attorney General César Jáuregui Moreno said the operation, conducted on April 17–18 following a three-month investigation, led to the dismantling of six large-scale synthetic drug production sites.

One of the sites was described as among the largest discovered in the country, where chemical drugs such as methamphetamine were produced, according to a statement.

Authorities said they seized significant quantities of industrial equipment, including ovens, gas cylinders and thousands of litres of chemical precursors, as well as a camp used to house workers.

By Aghakazim Guliyev