Cartel Drone Attacks Claim Lives of Mexican Soldiers

For the first time, the Mexican military has acknowledged that drone bomb attacks by drug cartels have resulted in soldier casualties. Defense Secretary Gen. Luis Cresencio Sandoval disclosed this information, though specific casualty figures were not provided. These attacks predominantly occurred in the western state of Michoacan, a hotspot for cartel violence.

Increasing Threats from Cartel Drones

Sandoval noted, “Our personnel have suffered wounds, and some of our troops have even died” due to these drone attacks. Previously, the military had only confirmed injuries from improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Michoacan. While exact dates of these attacks remain unspecified, Sandoval hinted that they often targeted patrol units.

To counteract this growing threat, the army is now investing in anti-drone technology. “We are seeking to enhance our security capabilities, which are currently insufficient for our personnel engaged in reconnaissance and patrols,” Sandoval added.

Escalating Violence in Michoacan

The conflict in Michoacan has escalated dramatically, with the Jalisco drug cartel clashing with local gangs for territorial control. This violence has seen the use of roadside bombs, IEDs, trenches, pillboxes, homemade armored vehicles, and sniper rifles by the cartels. The Jalisco cartel, in particular, has been known to modify commercial drones to drop small, yet sophisticated, aerial bombs.

In 2023, authorities discovered a machine shop where metal bomb casings for these drones were being manufactured. According to a detailed report from August 2023, 42 soldiers, police officers, and suspects were injured by IEDs in the first seven and a half months of 2023, a significant increase from 16 injuries in 2022. That same year, a National Guard officer and four state police officers were killed in two separate car-bomb attacks.

Drone Bomb Attacks on the Rise

Drone bomb attacks have become increasingly common since their first occurrence in Mexico in 2020. In 2023 alone, there were at least 260 such incidents, though this number is likely underestimated. In some Michoacan regions, residents report nearly daily drone bomb attacks.