Mexico President Denies Joint US Drug Op, Calls Viral Photo Fake

Mexico's President Sheinbaum Denies Joint US Operation in Sinaloa; Calls Viral Image 'False' Mexico City – Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has strongly denied the existence of a joint operation with the United States in the state of Sinaloa, calling a widely circulated photograph depicting the alleged operation "false." The image, which appeared prominently on social media and in national newspapers, showed several individuals in tactical gear. The US Embassy in Mexico, along with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency, reported the dismantling of three large-scale drug labs in Sinaloa. However, President Sheinbaum clarified that Mexican authorities acted independently, responding to a report from the US Embassy. "The image is false," Sheinbaum stated during a press conference. She emphasized that Mexican personnel responded to a formal complaint and that there was no collaboration with US agencies on this specific operation in Sinaloa. She further highlighted the independent nature of the operation, asserting that Mexican officials acted solely based on the information provided by the US Embassy. The incident has sparked debate about the nature of US-Mexico cooperation in combating drug trafficking and the importance of accurate information dissemination in sensitive situations. The President's statement underscores the importance of verifying information before it is widely disseminated.