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 charges versus Mexico’s previous defense minister, an allegation analysts said would more pressure bilateral relations and safety cooperation involving both nations.

The Mexican chief defended the decision by his lawyer common not to prosecute Gen. Salvador Cienfuegos, who experienced been arrested by the U.S. in Oct and then despatched back again to Mexico a thirty day period later on next a diplomatic uproar from Mexico, which complained it hadn’t been educated of the probe and threatened to control safety cooperation with Washington.

Mexico experienced vowed to look into the impressive previous common upon his return, utilizing proof that U.S. officers handed more than. The Mexican Attorney General’s Place of work said Thursday it experienced investigated the common and discovered no connection to organized criminal offense or any suspicious boost in his web really worth.

Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said on Friday the proof was not strong sufficient to arrest the common, substantially much less convict him in a Mexican courtroom.

Mr. López Obrador went more, declaring the DEA concocted the circumstance. He accused the agency of either “consciously or unconsciously” sabotaging the relationship with Mexico when it didn’t notify the Mexican governing administration of its investigation.