Last week, as reported by multiple news outlets, Mexico’s Defense Secretary, General Luis Cresencio Sandoval, confirmed that soldiers had been injured or killed as the result of cartel bomb-dropping drones.
Although Sandoval did not provide specific casualty figures, he confirmed that most fatal attacks occurred in Michoacan, a region embroiled in intense conflict. The Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) is fiercely fighting local gangs for territorial control in this western state.
“Our personnel have suffered wounds, and some of our troops have even died in these attacks,” Sandoval stated. These remarks represent a notable departure from earlier statements that only acknowledged injuries caused by improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the area. Although the precise timing of these drone attacks has not been disclosed, Sandoval suggested that they mainly targeted army patrol units. Sandoval stated the army was acquiring anti-drone systems to combat the threat.
“What we are seeking with this anti-drone equipment is to have the security capability, which we lack, for our personnel performing reconnaissance and patrols,” Sandoval said.
Despite the growing threat from aerial attacks, Sandoval emphasized that roadside bombs remain a more frequent hazard to army units. The cartels’ use of IEDs, trenches, pillboxes, homemade armored vehicles, and sniper rifles has transformed Michoacan into a war zone. This militarization of cartel tactics underscores their determination to control lucrative drug trafficking routes and territories.
The CJNG, one of Mexico’s most powerful and violent drug trafficking organizations, has been leading this conflict. Their innovative use of drones to drop explosives marks a significant escalation in the technology and methods employed by cartels. This development not only poses a severe threat to Mexican security forces but also signifies a dangerous evolution in cartel warfare.
Post Image Credit- Adobe Stock by Nelson Antoine
