US Warns: Russian Spies Operating Under Diplomatic Cover in Mexico Despite Multiple Alerts

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The United States has repeatedly alerted Mexico about Russian intelligence operatives working under diplomatic cover within the country, but Mexican authorities have declined to remove them, according to multiple U.S. and Mexican officials with knowledge of the situation.

When a U.S. general publicly stated in March 2022 that Mexico had become a hub for Russian espionage activities, then-President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador publicly denied having any information on the matter. However, officials from both nations confirm that his government had received several briefings on this issue, and Lopez Obrador himself had been personally informed, as reported by The New York Times.

U.S. officials revealed that the CIA compiled a comprehensive list identifying numerous Russian intelligence officers stationed at the Russian Embassy in Mexico City. Five officials familiar with the diplomatic exchanges confirmed that Mexico refused requests to expel these individuals.

In 2023, the United States managed to secure an agreement allowing American officials to review applications from Russians seeking diplomatic accreditation, resulting in some rejections. Nevertheless, six officials informed the NYT that those Russian operatives already positioned in Mexico were permitted to remain.

"The Mexican government did provide assistance, but they could have taken much more substantial action," stated Juan Gonzalez, former director for Western Hemisphere affairs on the U.S. National Security Council. "We provided them with names of Russian spies who were operating under diplomatic cover at the embassy in Mexico City. These were experienced intelligence officers who had conducted sophisticated operations across Europe."

U.S. security experts note that Mexico's geographic position and significant tourist traffic create an ideal environment for Russian operatives to conduct clandestine meetings and transmit intelligence gathered from the United States without attracting attention from American surveillance operations.

Western governments have also observed an increase in Russian disinformation campaigns in Mexico, prompting the U.S. Embassy to appoint a Russia specialist and the French Embassy to create a dedicated position for monitoring disinformation activities.

The Russian Embassy responded by stating that its diplomatic missions "frequently face baseless accusations of espionage" while emphasizing that Russia and Mexico maintain "a wide range of bilateral relations."

Western intelligence officials report that Russia expanded its presence in Mexico following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, particularly after the United States and European allies collectively expelled over 100 Russian operatives from their territories. Moscow subsequently reassigned intelligence personnel to Mexico City, a location with a long history of hosting covert operations.

General Glen VanHerck, then commander of U.S. Northern Command, publicly expressed concerns during testimony to the U.S. Senate in 2022. Later, high-ranking U.S. officials raised the issue again with Mexican leadership. According to individuals briefed on these discussions, Mexico assured Washington it would monitor Russian arrivals and report suspicious activities, including among asylum seekers, as reported by the NYT.

Mexico has maintained its neutrality regarding Russia, voting at the United Nations to affirm Ukraine's sovereignty while simultaneously avoiding imposing sanctions and continuing diplomatic engagement with Moscow. During visits to the region, senior Russian officials have described Latin America as vital to Russia's strategic interests.

Intelligence officials indicate that Mexico's approach has enabled Russian operatives to continue their activities in the country with minimal oversight.