The deaths of two CIA agents in April following an operation to dismantle a drug lab in northern Mexico have led to the unusual federal charge of "treason" against a former Chihuahua state attorney general.

He is also accused in a state court, where a judge ruled on Thursday he will go to trial on charges of "illegal exercise of public office." The defendant, Csar Juregui, is being held in pretrial detention at a maximum-security prison for allegedly authorizing the agents' participation in the operation.

President Claudia Sheinbaum said her administration neither authorized it nor was informed of it.