Montiel demands evidence for Campos’s drug-trafficking allegations

By Cartel Insider Wire Desk · Edited by Mica Treviño

El Imparcial · Oct 23, 2026 · 21:34 CT

Original reporting: El Imparcial

What happened

Morena leader Ariadna Montiel rejected Chihuahua Governor Maru Campos’s accusations. Sheinbaum said she requested evidence during a September meeting and had received none by October 23.

Ariadna Montiel llama «mitómana» a Maru Campos tras acusarla de presuntos nexos con el narcotráfico, mientras Sheinbaum confirma que la gobernadora hizo ese señalamiento durante una reunión privada y asegura que no presentó pruebas — Ariadna Montiel respondió a las acusaciones de Maru Campos sobre presuntos nexos con el narcotráfico y exigió que presente pruebas ante las autoridades. (El Universal) · Image source: El Imparcial

Reporting and context

Morena leader Ariadna Montiel Reyes rejected Chihuahua Governor María Eugenia Campos Galván’s allegations of links to drug trafficking and demanded that she submit evidence to the authorities, El Imparcial reported on October 23. The dispute also concerns the participation of U.S. agents in an April anti-drug operation in Chihuahua.

According to El Imparcial, President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed that Campos raised her suspicions about Montiel during a private conversation at Ciudad Juárez airport on September 19. Sheinbaum said she asked the governor for evidence and had received none by her October 23 morning news conference.

Montiel called Campos a compulsive liar and argued that the accusations sought to divert attention from questions about who authorized foreign agents to take part in the operation. She also demanded an explanation of who was responsible for their involvement. The source identifies the participating personnel as CIA agents, citing news reports.

The April 2026 operation targeted clandestine drug-production facilities. El Imparcial reported that the resulting federal investigation also reached former Chihuahua attorney general César Jáuregui Moreno, who was arrested over his alleged role in the participation of U.S. personnel. The outlet said the federal Attorney General’s Office, or FGR, accuses him of treason.

The FGR also received information from Campos alleging corruption by Jáuregui, including supposed casino links and the use of front persons, according to the article. Those allegations opened a separate line of investigation against the former prosecutor. They concern Jáuregui and are distinct from Campos’s accusations against Montiel.

Original publication: El Imparcial.

Contextual English newsroom rewrite based on El Imparcial. Claims and allegations remain attributed to the publisher or officials it cites. Read the original report.