The CIA has significantly expanded covert operations against Mexican drug cartels, including alleged involvement in targeted lethal missions inside Mexico.
According to a report from CNN, the CIA were involved in the March 28th killing of Francisco Beltran, an alleged mid-level Sinaloa Cartel operative known as “El Payin.”
Beltran died when an explosive device hidden inside his vehicle detonated on a major highway outside Mexico City.
Mexican officials confirmed the blast was caused by a device placed in the car, while sources told CNN the operation involved CIA personnel.
Since 2025, the CIA’s elite Ground Branch unit has taken a more direct role in anti-cartel operations, moving beyond intelligence sharing into operational support and targeted strikes.
The escalation follows President Trump’s designation of major Mexican cartels, including Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation, as foreign terrorist organizations.
The report also states that the CIA has increased surveillance operations over Mexico and expanded its ground presence, though the number of operatives remains relatively small.