Mexico Accused the US of Lying Regarding the Capture of 'El Mayo' Zambada

President of Mexico Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo seriously questioned the official statements of the US regarding the capture of drug lord Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada. At a press conference held at the National Palace, Sheinbaum presented a detailed timeline prepared by the Minister of the Interior Rosa Icela Rodríguez to the public. The ongoing suspicions since the beginning of Zambada's capture operation and the allegations that the US was involved in the operation were brought back to the agenda with this presentation. The Mexican government stated that they are conducting a meticulous investigation to reveal the facts behind the incident and aim to ensure full transparency in the process. This development, which points to a sensitive point in the diplomatic relations between the two neighboring countries, has also succeeded in attracting the attention of the international public.

The most striking and tension-increasing statement regarding the issue came from the Minister of the Interior Rosa Icela Rodríguez. Rodríguez, stating that there are completely contradictory statements regarding the incident, used the expression 'Someone lied' in her statement. This harsh reaction directly targeted the statements of the then US Ambassador to Mexico Ken Salazar, who spoke in the early periods of the incident. In his official statement on 9 Ağustos 2024, Salazar claimed that no US agency was involved in the operation and that Mexico was aware of it. However, Rodríguez's presentation put forward new evidence showing that the likelihood of these claims being true is very low. Ministry officials emphasized that these contradictions are not just a misunderstanding and point to a deep crisis of confidence.

A comprehensive news report published by a leading investigative media organization of the US revealed concrete evidence confirming Mexico's suspicions. According to the report published on 2 Temmuz 2026, the single-engine small plane used in Zambada's transfer was on display in a military and intelligence aircraft exhibition belonging to the FBI. The FBI displaying this plane with pride as one of its successful covert operations has refuted the claims that the US was in no way involved in the operation. The details of Zambada being transported on this plane as the leader of the Sinaloa Cartel reveal the role of US intelligence in the operation. Mexican officials evaluated this news as the clearest evidence of an unauthorized operation conducted secretly by the US.

The Mexican government states that a possible US intervention is not only a security issue but also a grave violation of international law. Minister Rodríguez stated that if it is definitively proven that the FBI organized such an operation on Mexican soil without any notification, there will be very serious sanctions. Such a covert action means directly violating the United Nations Charter, the Charter of the Organization of American States, the Mexican Constitution, and the National Security Law. The unauthorized capture of a high-level organized crime leader by another state was described as a clear attack on the country's sovereign rights. Mexico stated that this incident will be evaluated not as an independent mass destruction and security issue, but as an act of disrespect aimed at undermining the independence of a state.

The Sheinbaum administration is careful to use extremely cautious yet decisive language in order not to escalate the dimensions of the diplomatic crisis. It is strongly emphasized that the Mexican Government is not in any dark collaboration with anyone—neither with organized crime groups nor with those who make secret deals with them. Officials insist that the main issue to be questioned is uncovering who makes secret deals with organized crime organizations and which state officials are behind these matters. Although Zambada's capture is seen as a major blow to global drug trafficking, this situation should not legitimize sovereignty violations. In light of these developments, it is predicted that a new era has been entered into in the context of security and intelligence cooperation between the US and Mexico, and that bilateral relations may go through a much more painful process from now on.