Mexico charges a former state prosecutor with treason over a U.S. drug raid

Federal prosecutors accuse César Jáuregui Moreno, attorney general of the border state of Chihuahua until this year, of letting U.S. agents join an April raid on a suspected drug lab without proper authorization. He denies it.

The U.S. role came to light when two American agents, reported to have worked for the CIA, died in a car crash on Apr 19 along with two Mexican officers.

Last widely recognized treason conviction

1867 year

Treason is vaguely defined in Mexican law and convictions are rare: the last widely recognized one dates to 1867, when Emperor Maximilian was court-martialled and executed.

Why it matters

President Claudia Sheinbaum, under pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump over drug trafficking, insists foreign officials may operate in Mexico only with federal clearance.

Mexico

A judge has ordered Jáuregui held in pretrial detention, and a court hearing is set for Saturday to decide whether there is enough evidence to proceed.