U.S. Plans CIA Support Role in Joint Mexico Operations Targeting Fentanyl Labs, Source Says

A Justice Department source said CIA agents are expected to accompany Mexican forces in future anti-cartel raids, providing intelligence support under Mexican authorization as Washington expands coordination against fentanyl networks.

By yourNEWS Media Newsroom

The United States is preparing to deploy CIA agents to assist Mexican military units during operations against suspected fentanyl laboratories, according to a Justice Department source who said the effort would be conducted jointly and with approval from Mexico’s government.

“This isn’t about pressure, it’s about joint preparation,” the unnamed source told El Universal, adding that a specialized CIA division would enter Mexico “with authorization from the Mexican government, to accompany them in carrying out intelligence tasks and from there make other operational decisions.” The source said the operation is not yet underway but added, “it is going to happen.”

The comments followed a report by The New York Times indicating that the administration of President Donald Trump is pressing for joint operations with Mexican forces to dismantle fentanyl laboratories. According to the report, U.S. officials want either CIA personnel or U.S. special operations troops to accompany Mexican soldiers during raids.

U.S. officials said the proposed plan would keep Mexican forces in charge of leading, directing, and making key decisions during operations, while U.S. personnel would provide intelligence and advisory support. The Justice Department source told El Universal that Mexican armed forces would “lead the operation, and U.S. agents would accompany them,” describing the American role as observational rather than directly operational.

As coordination efforts expand, United States Northern Command announced Thursday the formation of the Joint Interagency Task Force Against Cartels (JIATF-CC), naming U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Maurizio Calabrese as its director. The command said in a statement announcing the task force that it represents “the next step in the whole-of-government approach to identify, disrupt, and dismantle cartel operations posing a threat to the United States along the U.S.-Mexico border,” according to the announcement and a follow-up statement.

Northern Command said the JIATF-CC will coordinate with the Homeland Security Task Force National Coordination Center to share intelligence across defense, law enforcement, and intelligence agencies to synchronize operations aimed at dismantling what it described as narcoterrorist networks.

The New York Times reported that the U.S. military told the outlet it is “ready to execute the commander-in-chief’s orders anytime, anywhere,” underscoring the administration’s willingness to expand U.S. involvement if directed.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo addressed the issue following a phone call with Trump on Monday, saying that the presence of U.S. troops on Mexican soil is “not on the table,” while emphasizing that bilateral cooperation would continue.

The Justice Department source’s remarks suggest that, while politically sensitive, intelligence-level cooperation involving CIA personnel accompanying Mexican forces is being framed by U.S. officials as preparatory and advisory, rather than a unilateral deployment of American troops.