From Ukraine to Jalisco How Mexican Cartels Weaponized the Skies

Mexican drug cartels have rapidly adopted drones as weapons and reconnaissance tools, mirroring military strategies seen in Ukraine and Iran. The Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) leads this trend, deploying commercial drones—initially with hand grenades or explosives—to target rival gangs, military personnel, and government officials since 2019. Tactics have advanced to include First-Person View (FPV) drones equipped with 3D-printed munitions, while cartel members reportedly trained in Ukraine’s International Legion to enhance their drone warfare capabilities. The use of drones reflects the cartels’ deep military roots, with groups like Los Zetas founded by former Mexican Army commandos trained by U.S., French, and Israeli special forces. These veterans now apply their expertise to modern drone warfare, complicating efforts by Mexican and U.S. authorities to counter the threat. Commercial drones, widely available through retailers like Amazon and Alibaba, fuel this arms race, as their dual-use nature makes tracking illegal procurement difficult. Beyond attacks, cartels exploit drones for smuggling drugs and surveilling government installations in states like Jalisco, Guanajuato, Michoacán, and Baja California. In February 2024, Mexican Special Forces killed CJNG leader Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, alias ‘El Mencho,’ in Jalisco, a stronghold for the cartel. His death, however, has not halted the group’s drone operations, which continue to escalate in sophistication. The cartels’ drone tactics pose a growing challenge, blending low-cost technology with military-grade precision. Their ability to adapt—from improvised explosives to advanced FPV systems—underscores the need for stronger countermeasures. U.S. and Mexican officials warn that without intervention, these methods could spread to other criminal networks, exacerbating regional instability.