Mexican Prosecutor Who Helped C.I.A. Secretly Operate in His State Flees to the U.S.

A Mexican former prosecutor facing arrest after allowing Central Intelligence Agency officers to operate in his state has fled to the United States and is now under the U.S. government’s protection, according to U.S. and Mexican officials.

The former prosecutor, Guillermo Zuany Portillo, shepherded C.I.A. officers for more than six months beginning last year as they trained forces in his state, Chihuahua, joined those forces on counter-cartel missions and provided expertise during ground operations, a New York Times investigation revealed this week.

Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, had repeatedly said she did not want U.S. forces taking part in operations on the ground in Mexico, calling it a breach of sovereignty. Under the Trump administration, meanwhile, the C.I.A. sought to expand its activity in the country, and saw Mr. Zuany as a partner to help it do so quietly.

The C.I.A.’s cover in Chihuahua was blown when a car crash in April resulted in the deaths of two C.I.A. officers, leading to a national scandal and Mr. Zuany’s resignation. While an investigation determined the crash an accident, the Mexican authorities recently issued a warrant for Mr. Zuany’s arrest on charges related to his involvement with the agency.

Ms. Sheinbaum expressed fury at the C.I.A.’s presence during raids in Chihuahua and denied knowledge of the agency’s activities. On Wednesday, she said in a regular morning news conference that investigations into matter must continue.

“It’s worth finding out who this person is and how he worked with one of the U.S. agencies,” she said of Mr. Zuany.

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