Drone attacks escalate violence in Latin America involving Mexican cartels and Colombian rebels
Members of the Mexican Sinaloa cartel and Colombian rebels allegedly trained by Ukraine are now using drones to kill people in Latin America. According to The New York Times, drones have killed 58 soldiers and police officers and injured over 300 others in Colombia within a few months. Video compilations of the Sinaloa cartel’s operations have surfaced online.
Drones are also being used by the Mexican cartels Cárteles Unidos La Resistencia ("Resistance") and Jalisco New Generation. Reports indicate the CIA played a role in training some Colombian rebels. These developments raise serious concerns about regional security and the combat use of drones by criminal organizations.
The ongoing escalation of drone-enabled violence could further destabilize conflicts across Latin America and complicate law enforcement efforts against drug cartels. International agencies are expected to tighten controls over drone proliferation and deployment in the region.
