Executive Summary

Mexican cartels’ use of drones in warfare is not new, however their operations have expanded and evolved greatly since 2020. Given the accessibility, lethality, and lower cost of drones compared to humans, these unmanned aerial vehicles are quickly becoming a preferred equipment for cartels. 

Additionally, the widespread use of drones by Mexican cartels moves the organisations closer to being identified as paramilitaries, not just transnational crime organizations. While violence caused by organised crime in Mexico is widespread, drones bring a higher level of injury and destruction. Relevantly, the destruction affects civilian and military players alike. The technology has contributed to the displacement of the populations, including children, of numerous towns. 

(For a previous assessment of this issue, see the October 2024 Grey Dynamics report titled Narco-Drones: The Use of Drones by Drug Cartels.)