Two US embassy staff members have died in what officials described as an “accident” in Mexico, US Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson announced on Sunday.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of two U.S. Embassy employees, the director of Chihuahua’s State Investigation Agency (AEI) and an AEI officer in this accident. We honor their dedication and tireless efforts to meet one of the greatest challenges of our time. Our thoughts and prayers are with them and their loved ones,” Johnson said in a message on X.
The ambassador also said the tragedy underlines the risks civil servants face in carrying out their duties.
“This tragedy is a solemn reminder of the risks faced by Mexican and American officials committed 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.”
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Ronald Johnson speaks at the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, DC on March 13, 2025. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Details remain unclear, including the nature and location of the incident and whether the personnel were U.S. citizens.
Mexican authorities announced Sunday that several officers, including US embassy staff, were killed after returning from a major weekend operation to dismantle “clandestine drug laboratories” in Morelos.
“The Attorney General of the State, Cesar Jáuregui Moreno, this morning mourned the death of elements of the State Investigation Agency, as well as two instruction officers of the US Embassy, who died in an accident while returning from the operation of destroying clandestine laboratories in the municipality of Morelos,” the Chihuahua Attorney General’s Office said.
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Attorney General of the State of Chihuahua, César Jáuregui Moreno, speaks on April 19, 2026. (Government of the State of Chihuahua)
Multi-agency personnel reportedly carried out the operation on April 17 and 18 after a three-month investigation, during which six large-scale synthetic drug production sites were dismantled.
One of the sites was described as “one of the largest found in the country” where chemical drugs such as methamphetamine were produced, Moreno said in a statement.
Authorities said they seized a significant amount of industrial equipment, including furnaces, gas cylinders and thousands of liters of chemical precursors, as well as a camp used to house workers.
The state has since turned the case over to federal prosecutors, who will continue legal proceedings against those involved in the illegal activities.
Attorney General of the State of Chihuahua, César Jáuregui Moreno, announces the closure of six clandestine drug laboratories. (Government of the State of Chihuahua)
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The Public Prosecution Service has identified the deceased AEI director as Mtro. Pedro Roman Oseguera Cervantes and the AEI agent as Lic. Manuel Genaro Mendez Montes, adding that Montes “unfortunately lost his life in an accident in the line of duty.”
“We recognize your courage, dedication and commitment to keeping our state safe. We join his family, colleagues and friends in this irreparable loss,” the attorney general’s office said.
