CIA deploys drones over Mexico to spy on drug cartels, upping stakes in narcotics war
By bellecarter // 2025-02-21
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  • The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has commenced covert drone missions over Mexico using MQ-9 Reaper drones to gather intelligence on drug cartels, marking a more aggressive stance in the U.S. anti-drug campaign.
  • These missions, which began under the Biden administration, currently involve unarmed drones but can be equipped for precision strikes, similar to those conducted in conflict zones such as Iraq, Somalia and Syria.
  • The CIA's engagement is part of a broader strategy to combat narco-trafficking, emphasizing the severity of the issue and the rise of powerful cartels that have increased violence and social instability.
  • Mexico has responded cautiously to these operations, acknowledging the possibility of espionage but denying any violation of national airspace, while emphasizing the importance of information sharing with the United States.
  • Both countries have intensified their efforts to combat drug trafficking, including increased military presence and policy shifts, reflecting the need for coordinated action and the complexity of the ongoing challenge.
In a significant escalation of the U.S. campaign against drug trafficking, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has been conducting covert drone missions over Mexico, according to former and current officials. The missions, involving MQ-9 Reaper drones, have penetrated deep into Mexican sovereign territory to gather intelligence on drug cartels and their operations. While these drones are currently unarmed, they are capable of being adapted for precision strikes, similar to those used in conflict zones like Iraq, Somalia and Syria. This move signals a more aggressive approach to tackling the drug trade, a persistent challenge that has plagued both nations for decades. The issue of drug trafficking from Mexico to the United States is not new; it has been a significant concern for both countries for over a century. However, the rise of powerful cartels in recent years has exacerbated the problem, leading to increased violence and social instability. President Donald Trump's administration, in particular, has been vocal about the threat posed by these cartels. In 2019, Trump called for military action against the groups, describing the situation as akin to "waging war." He signed an executive order in January 2021, designating drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, further highlighting the severity of the issue. (Related: Trump administration declares war on Mexican drug cartels: Military operations and border security take center stage.) The CIA's involvement in these missions is part of a broader strategy to combat narco-trafficking. According to a CIA representative, "Countering drug cartels in Mexico and regionally is a priority for the CIA as a part of the Trump administration's broader efforts to end the grave threat from narco-trafficking. Director [John] Ratcliffe is determined to put the CIA's unique expertise to work against this multi-faceted challenge." The use of drones allows the CIA to gather detailed intelligence without putting U.S. personnel directly at risk, a strategy that has been employed in other conflict zones. Mexico's response to these covert operations has been cautious. Defense Minister Ricardo Trevilla acknowledged the possibility of espionage but insisted that there was no violation of national airspace. "We cannot rule out espionage because we do not know exactly what was done. However, they did not violate national airspace," he stated. President Claudia Sheinbaum emphasized the importance of information sharing, saying, "The important thing here, I think, in the declaration, which is what we have always proposed, is that they share information with the government of Mexico."

Increased military presence and policy shifts

In response to growing U.S. concerns, Mexico has also intensified its efforts to combat drug trafficking. The country has deployed thousands of troops to the border to crack down on smuggling operations. This increased military presence underscores the bilateral nature of the issue and the need for coordinated action. Trump's national security team has been particularly vocal about the need for a more aggressive approach. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, while a Florida congressman, co-introduced legislation in 2023 that would have authorized military force against drug cartels. "All options will be on the table if we're dealing with what are designated to be foreign terrorist organizations who are specifically targeting Americans on our border," said Pete Hegseth, Trump's secretary of defense, in a recent interview with Fox News. The CIA's deployment of drones over Mexico represents a significant shift in the U.S. strategy against drug cartels, reflecting the growing urgency and complexity of the challenge. While the current missions are focused on intelligence gathering, the potential for armed strikes adds a new dimension to the ongoing narco-war. The response from Mexico highlights the delicate balance between national sovereignty and the need for international cooperation in addressing transnational threats. As both nations continue to grapple with this issue, the deployment of drones marks a critical turning point in the fight against drug trafficking. Head over to DrugCartels.news to read related articles on Mexican drug cartels. Watch the video below that talks about a secret drug tunnel officials uncovered near the border wall. This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

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Sources include:

NYPost.com CNN.com Brighteon.com
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