A federal judge in Mexico ruled Sunday that César Jáuregui, a former state attorney general for Chihuahua, will face trial on an unusual treason charge.
Jáuregui stands accused of illegally initiating a joint operation with the CIA to dismantle a drug lab located in northern Mexico. Crucially, this operation was allegedly conducted without the knowledge or approval of the federal government.
The clandestine operation garnered public attention following a fatal car accident involving two CIA agents and two state officials who were returning from the mission. All four individuals died in the incident.
Defense attorney Luis Villegas confirmed the judge's order for Jáuregui to stand trial. Jáuregui was initially arrested on October 17 and charged with illegal exercise of public office, with a judge recently ruling he would proceed to trial on those counts. Federal officials subsequently added the more severe treason charge.
Mexico has not successfully prosecuted a treason charge in decades, despite a recent attempt to do so.
