Federal judge set to rule Saturday on treason case against former Chihuahua prosecutor

A federal judge will decide on Saturday whether to approve a treason indictment against César Jáuregui, the former attorney general of Chihuahua. The charge carries a penalty of five to 40 years in prison. Federal prosecutors argue that Jáuregui compromised national security by authorizing the participation of U.S. agents in a field operation without seeking approval from the federal government.

The case stems from an April 19 operation to dismantle a drug laboratory in the municipality of Morelos. The Chihuahua Attorney General's Office announced the success of the raid, describing the site as one of the largest chemical drug production facilities in the country. During the return journey, a vehicle in the convoy left the road and fell into a ravine. The crash killed four people: two Mexican state officials and two Americans.

The Mexican victims were identified as Pedro Román Oseguera Cervantes, the first commander of the state investigation agency, and officer Manuel Genaro Méndez Montes. At the time, Jáuregui stated that the Americans were instructor officers engaged in training under binational anti-drug cooperation. No arrests were made because suspects fled the scene. The incident prompted questions about foreign presence in Mexican law enforcement, leading to Jáuregui's resignation to facilitate an inquiry.

Jáuregui was arrested on October 17 on state charges of illegal exercise of public office. A judge ruled on Thursday that those state charges would proceed to trial. Following that decision, federal authorities added the treason count. Defense attorney Héctor Villasana stated that prosecutors expressed a desire for an exemplary punishment during a closed hearing. He said this was intended to prevent a recurrence of the U.S. removal of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

Legal experts have expressed skepticism regarding the viability of the treason charge. Samuel González, a former chief prosecutor for organized crime, noted that treason is typically considered a wartime crime. He argued that while Jáuregui may have failed to inform federal authorities or allowed foreign agents to carry weapons, these actions do not constitute treason. Carlos Pérez Ricart of CIDE University described the case as a political decision ahead of the 2027 midterm elections, warning that it sends a negative signal to Washington.

Accounts of the Americans' official roles have differed. U.S. Ambassador Ronald Johnson referred to them as embassy personnel, while sources familiar with the matter identified them as CIA agents. The CIA declined to comment. Mexico's security ministry reported that one agent entered as a visitor and the other with a diplomatic passport. Neither had formal accreditation for operational activities. President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that none of the agents had permission to operate in Mexico. Two other U.S. agents in a separate vehicle were subsequently expelled.

The U.S. State Department said it is monitoring the case but did not link it directly to the deaths of the two agents. Sheinbaum amended the Constitution to bar field operations without express Mexican authorization, a policy shift from the administration of former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Pérez Ricart observed that such operations have historically occurred without federal knowledge, creating potential for abuse.

The decision on the federal indictment is scheduled for Saturday. The outcome will determine whether Jáuregui stands trial for the charge that federal prosecutors say endangered national security.