Reports Highlight Growing Drone Tactics Among Mexican Cartels

After years of coverage by Breitbart on the use of drones by drug cartels, mainstream news organizations are finally catching up. A recent report from the Washington Post sheds light on how these Mexican cartels are rapidly evolving their drone strategies, significantly influenced by developments observed during the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

This report highlights a U.S. government assessment that mentions how Mexican cartels are seeking out Colombian mercenaries with combat experience from Ukraine. These fighters are then reportedly teaching their tactics back in Mexico and Colombia. The findings also indicate that cartels have been finding ways to outsmart anti-drone technologies, allowing their drones to travel farther and carry more substantial payloads.

The main groups involved in recruiting these Colombian fighters include Cartel Jalisco New Generation and Carteles Unidos. Breitbart Texas first brought this issue to light in 2017, referencing a Mexican military intelligence report that acknowledged the involvement of Colombian mercenaries.

According to Breitbart Texas, the primary use of drones by these cartels is for surveillance of law enforcement in border regions. Meanwhile, they also deploy drones to drop improvised explosive devices (IEDs) on rival factions across the country. Specifically, in states like Michoacan and Guerrero, this tactic has become commonplace, as cartels have recruited Colombian mercenaries from groups like FARC and others. The introduction of these Colombian fighters has allowed cartels to modernize their tactics, leading to increased use of explosive devices, land mines, and drone IEDs.

In 2025, it was reported by Breitbart Texas that Mexican authorities apprehended a group of Colombian mercenaries engaged in combat on behalf of Cartel Jalisco New Generation.