Ambassador says two US Embassy personnel were killed in an ‘accident’ in Mexico

(SeaPRwire) –   U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson stated on Sunday that two members of U.S. Embassy staff lost their lives in an incident officials are calling an “accident” in Mexico.

“We are profoundly grieved by the tragic passing of two U.S. Embassy staff members, along with the Director of Chihuahua’s State Investigation Agency (AEI) and an AEI officer, in this accident. We pay tribute to their commitment and relentless work to address one of the most pressing challenges of our era. Our thoughts and prayers go out to them and their families,” Johnson shared in a post on X.

The ambassador further noted that this tragedy highlights the dangers officials encounter while performing their responsibilities.

“This tragedy serves as a somber reminder of the risks that Mexican and U.S. officials dedicated to safeguarding our communities face,” he commented. “It reinforces our determination to carry on their work and further our joint commitment to security and justice for the protection of our people.”

Specifics about the incident—such as its exact nature, location, and whether the affected staff members were U.S. citizens—are still unknown.

On Sunday, Mexican authorities reported that several officers, including U.S. Embassy staff, died upon returning from a large-scale weekend operation aimed at taking down “clandestine drug labs” in Morelos.

“State Attorney General Cesar Jáuregui Moreno expressed his sorrow this morning over the deaths of members of the State Investigation Agency and two instructing officers from the U.S. Embassy, who lost their lives in an accident while returning from the operation to destroy clandestine labs in the Municipality of Morelos,” the Chihuahua State Attorney General’s Office stated.

Staff from various agencies are said to have conducted the operation on April 17 and 18, following a three-month investigation, which resulted in the dismantling of six large synthetic drug manufacturing facilities.

Moreno noted in a statement that one of the sites was labeled “one of the largest ever discovered in the country” and was used to produce chemical substances like methamphetamine.

Officials reported seizing a substantial quantity of industrial gear—including ovens, gas cylinders, and thousands of liters of chemical precursors—along with a camp that housed workers.

The state has since transferred the case to federal prosecutors, who will proceed with the legal proceedings against individuals involved in the illegal activity.

The State Prosecutor’s Office named the late AEI director as Mtro. Pedro Roman Oseguera Cervantes and the AEI agent as Lic. Manuel Genaro Mendez Montes, noting that Montes “regrettably died in an accident while on duty.”

“We acknowledge your courage, dedication, and commitment to ensuring the safety of our state. We stand with his family, coworkers, and friends during this irreplaceable loss,” the Attorney General’s Office commented.