Mexico Accuses U.S. of Fabricating Drug-Trafficking Charges Against General

MEXICO CITY—Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador on Friday accused the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration of fabricating drug expenses towards Mexico’s former protection minister, an allegation analysts explained would additional strain bilateral relations and protection cooperation concerning both equally nations.

The Mexican chief defended the determination by his legal professional common not to prosecute Gen. Salvador Cienfuegos, who had been arrested by the U.S. in October and then sent back to Mexico a month later next a diplomatic uproar from Mexico, which complained it hadn’t been educated of the probe and threatened to suppress protection cooperation with Washington.

Mexico had vowed to examine the highly effective former common upon his return, applying proof that U.S. officers handed in excess of. The Mexican Legal professional General’s Office environment explained Thursday it had investigated the common and found no link to structured criminal offense or any suspicious maximize in his net truly worth.

Mexican Overseas Minister Marcelo Ebrard explained on Friday the proof wasn’t good ample to arrest the common, a lot a lot less convict him in a Mexican court docket.

Mr. López Obrador went additional, declaring the DEA concocted the situation. He accused the agency of either “consciously or unconsciously” sabotaging the romantic relationship with Mexico when it did not advise the Mexican authorities of its investigation.