President Claudia Sheinbaum said foreign agents operating in Mexico must comply with the Mexican Constitution.
This directive asserts national sovereignty over security operations and seeks to prevent unauthorized foreign intelligence activities on Mexican soil. By requiring a formal approval process, the administration aims to ensure all external security cooperation remains within the legal framework of the state.
Sheinbaum said that the presence of these agents must be approved by a committee of the Security Cabinet. This measure is intended to guarantee that any activity conducted by foreign officials aligns with Mexican law.
"Tienen que cumplir la Constitución," Sheinbaum said.
The president's comments follow a series of security tensions. Sheinbaum said an operation involving the CIA in Chihuahua occurred in April 2026 [3]. Additionally, the administration has looked back at the case of Mayo Zambada from July 2024 [2] as part of the broader context of foreign agency conduct.
According to official figures, there are 250 U.S. agents currently under regulation in Mexico [1]. This regulatory oversight follows a precedent set in 2023, when former President López Obrador expelled foreign agents from the country [4].
"La presencia de estos agentes debe ser aprobada por un comité del Gabinete de Seguridad," Sheinbaum said.
The requirement for Security Cabinet approval creates a centralized vetting process for all foreign security personnel. This move signals a shift toward stricter oversight of bilateral security agreements, and a demand for greater transparency from foreign intelligence services operating within the country.
“"Tienen que cumplir la Constitución"”
The move by the Sheinbaum administration reinforces a nationalist approach to security, signaling to the U.S. that tactical cooperation cannot bypass Mexican legal protocols. By institutionalizing the approval process through the Security Cabinet, Mexico is attempting to mitigate 'rogue' operations and ensure that foreign intelligence activities do not undermine the authority of the Mexican state.
