Recent reports hint that the CIA has been using MQ-9 Reaper drones to monitor drug cartels in Mexico. This covert operation aligns with changes in national security strategy under President Donald Trump, focusing more on the U.S. southern border.
These drone missions, which haven’t been publicly disclosed before, are part of an evolving approach to treat drug cartels as terrorist organizations, although this designation hasn’t been formally made yet.
The MQ-9 Reaper drones involved are currently unarmed but have the capability to be equipped for precision strikes. Typically, these drones target suspected terrorists in regions like Syria and Iraq.
Some officials believe that labeling cartels as terrorist groups could pave the way for direct U.S. military action against them in Mexico.
Historically, the CIA has utilized drones to gather intelligence on cartels, often in cooperation with Mexican authorities. However, the recent missions were communicated to Congress through notifications that suggest a significant escalation in covert operations without mentioning any partnership with Mexico.
The CIA has not commented specifically on these drone flights. Still, they emphasize that countering drug cartels is a critical part of the agency’s agenda, reflecting broader efforts under the Trump administration to address narco-trafficking.
This revelation of U.S. drone missions comes amidst rising tensions between the U.S. and Mexico. Questions have arisen in Mexico regarding recent flights of U.S. military planes near the border, with officials stressing the importance of sovereignty.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expressed the need for information sharing between the U.S. and Mexico, confirming that these flights have occurred within international airspace. Meanwhile, Defense Minister Ricardo Trevilla noted he was unaware of these aircraft operations.
Notably, longstanding agreements allow U.S. agencies like the Drug Enforcement Administration to operate in coordination with Mexico on counter-narcotics efforts. While the CIA’s drone operations remain undisclosed to the public, they have generated significant buzz, especially given their potential to shift U.S. resources towards fighting cartels more aggressively.
Planning for this strategic shift began prior to Trump taking office. A transition document outlined priorities for resource allocation towards counter-cartel operations, framing this work under the umbrella of counter-terrorism.
Trump has previously hinted at possibly using military force against the cartels, stating they have grown so powerful that the U.S. might need an army to combat them. In a past executive order, he called for some cartels to be designated as foreign terrorist organizations, although no official action has been taken yet.
Conversations around designating cartels as terrorist groups have sparked debate. While these organizations share some operational similarities with groups like al-Qaeda or ISIS, they fundamentally differ. Cartels are mainly commercial entities, prioritizing profits over ideology and governance, with some having connections to elements within the Mexican government.
As these discussions evolve, clarity on how the U.S. plans to engage with these groups continues to be a focal point for both governments.
