Baja California Sur Governor Víctor Castro Cosío denied reports that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration maintains a permanent operational presence in Los Cabos, calling the widely circulated claims “false” during a recent statement on April 11.
The governor said the state government has no direct relationship with the DEA. He clarified that representatives of foreign agencies may only participate in institutionally arranged exchanges coordinated through the federal government in Mexico City.
Aircraft Sighting Sparked Speculation
The denial followed weeks of speculation that began in mid-March. Reports circulated in national and local media about an aircraft attributed to the DEA landing at Los Cabos International Airport in San José del Cabo. The alleged sighting triggered claims of a permanent U.S. law enforcement footprint in the tourist municipality.
Castro Cosío drew a sharp line between routine bilateral cooperation and any direct American agency operation in Baja California Sur. His comments came as Mexico’s federal security secretary, Omar García Harfuch, recently held meetings with DEA Director Terrance Cole and FBI Director Kash Patel.
Federal Cooperation, Not Local Operations
Those meetings, according to García Harfuch, focused on strengthening cooperation to combat drug trafficking, reduce the flow of weapons into Mexico, and lower violence in both countries. None of the discussions singled out Los Cabos or any specific operation in the state.
The governor’s statement places any interaction with American law enforcement agencies firmly under federal jurisdiction. Under Mexican law, foreign security agencies cannot operate independently on Mexican soil. Any collaboration must be channeled through federal institutions based in Mexico City.
Los Cabos, which includes the resort cities of Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, is one of Mexico’s top international tourist destinations. The municipality draws millions of visitors each year, many of them American and Canadian residents and vacationers. Persistent rumors about cartel-linked operations or foreign law enforcement activity can affect public perception of safety in the region.
Castro Cosío did not specify whether the state had investigated the aircraft sighting or whether any federal agency had confirmed the mid-March flight. His remarks were reported by BCS Noticias.