TWO CIA agents recently killed in a car crash in Mexico were not authorised to take part in operations in the country, Mexican government officials said at the weekend.

The role of the two agents, who were returning from destroying a clandestine drug laboratory in the northern state of Chihuahua, remains unclear.

The pair were in a convoy when their car drove into a ravine last weekend and the vehicle exploded. Two Mexican officers were killed as well.

Mexico’s Ministry of Security said one US agent had entered the country as a visitor, the other on a diplomatic passport, adding that the government was not aware of foreign agents operating or planning to take part in an operation on its soil.

“Mexican law is clear: it does not permit the participation of foreign agents in operations within the national territory,” a ministry statement said.

Officials from both countries have offered contradictory accounts, with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum admitting on Wednesday that federal forces had been involved after her government had denied knowledge of any operation or US involvement.

The ministry said it was reviewing the case with local authorities and the US embassy.