The Rising Threat of Cartel Drones: Border Incursions and Evolving Tactics
Just some research for the show this week.
In the early hours of February 11, 2026, the Federal Aviation Administration abruptly closed airspace over El Paso, Texas, citing a potential security threat.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy attributed the shutdown to a "cartel drone incursion," where drones operated by Mexican drug cartels allegedly breached U.S. airspace near the international airport.
The Department of War (the Trump administration's rebranded Defense Department) reportedly neutralized the threat, allowing flights to resume after seven hours, far shorter than the initially announced 10-day closure.
Conflicting reports suggest the closure resulted from a Pentagon test of high-energy laser technology that mistakenly targeted a party balloon instead of cartel drones.
This event highlights the escalating use of drones by Mexican cartels, intertwining genuine operational threats with discussions on U.S. defensive measures.
Mexican cartels have incorporated drones into their activities for over a decade, beginning with basic surveillance and advancing to advanced smuggling and combat tools.
Initial uses involved commercial models modified to drop drug packages across borders or monitor routes.
By 2017, weaponized drones emerged, employed for reconnaissance, drug delivery, and dropping explosives on rivals and security forces in Mexico.
Department of Homeland Security data indicate over 60,000 cartel drone flights along the U.S.-Mexico border in the second half of 2024, averaging 330 per day
Additionally, more than 27,000 drones were detected within 500 meters of the southern border in the last six months of 2024.
In the Rio Grande Valley sector of southern Texas, U.S. Customs and Border Protection recorded 10,000 incursions during a similar period.
This represents a stark increase from 150 unmanned aircraft systems detected crossing the border between 2012 and 2014.
These incursions fulfill various roles. Cartels deploy drones nearly daily to transport drugs, including fentanyl, across the border while avoiding detection.
Custom-built models can carry up to 100 kilograms, equipped with satellite technology for accurate deliveries.
Surveillance is a primary function, enabling monitoring of U.S. Border Patrol and competitors.
In Mexico, groups like the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) have advanced to explosive-equipped drones, used in turf battles that have resulted in casualties among soldiers and civilians.
Recent developments include first-person view (FPV) drones, drawing from Ukraine conflict tactics, for rapid, targeted strikes.
Footage shows FPV attacks on fortified sites, with some cartel vehicles now fitted with protective cages.
U.S. officials caution that cartels are evolving from criminal networks to paramilitary entities, with drone technology facilitating territorial dominance and possible cross-border assaults.
U.S. countermeasures blend urgency and restraint. The Department of Homeland Security's counter-drone initiative, under leaders like Steven Willoughby, underscores daily threats and the necessity for sophisticated detection.
Technologies such as jamming, lasers, and kinetic intercepts from locations like Fort Bliss are under development or testing.
Legal limitations restrict military engagement with drones, leading lawmakers like Rep. Tony Gonzales to advocate for broader preemptive powers.
Discussions persist on labeling cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, potentially unlocking enhanced military and financial resources, though this could strain U.S.-Mexico ties.
Mexican authorities refute widespread incursions and utilize drones for their own anti-cartel efforts and migrant surveillance.
Critics across viewpoints warn of potential overreactions. Conservative perspectives, including those in the Trump administration, portray the issue as a critical national security matter demanding immediate military response.
Liberal analyses highlight escalation risks, noting incidents like El Paso's may involve misidentifications or uncoordinated tests, as seen in the balloon incident.
Experts from all sides concur that while cartel drone programs trail global frontrunners by years, they are advancing quickly, potentially altering border power balances.
As drone technology grows more affordable and accessible, the border serves as a proving ground for criminal ingenuity and defensive innovations. With thousands of annual incursions documented, the task is to equilibrium strong enforcement with precise threat evaluation, avoiding needless disruptions while tackling real dangers. This dynamic requires sustained attention, drawing on data from diverse political perspectives, to protect communities without amplifying unfounded concerns.