Former Chihuahua Prosecutor César Jáuregui Sent to Trial on Treason Charge

A federal judge in Mexico ordered former Chihuahua prosecutor César Jáuregui to stand trial on a treason charge. The judge ruled on Sunday that the case will move forward after Jáuregui was previously arrested on Oct. 17 for illegal exercise of public office. Prosecutors say he illegally launched a joint operation with the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency to shut down a drug lab in northern Mexico without informing the federal government. The operation came under scrutiny when two CIA agents and two state officials died in a car crash on their way back from the raid. Defense lawyer Luis Villegas confirmed the court’s decision to try his client on the new treason allegation. Federal officials added the treason count after the original public‑office charge. Mexico has not successfully prosecuted a treason case in decades, making this trial unusually rare. ## Context The case highlights tensions between Mexico’s sovereignty and cross‑border security cooperation, and it may set a legal precedent for how foreign‑assisted operations are handled in the country.