Lasers down 11 cartel drones along southern border, US military says
U.S. Northern Command said the laser-equipped Army system targeted drones linked to illicit activity, part of a broader border crackdown that has downed more than 300 this year.
- Northern Command forces downed 11 cartel-linked drones last week using the Army Multipurpose High-Energy Laser system in the Rio Grande Valley, with officials assessing the unmanned systems as associated with illicit activity.
- Criminal groups across Latin America use inexpensive commercial drones costing $600 to $1,200 for surveillance and drug trafficking, with more than 27,000 incursions reported near the southern border in 2024.
- About 8,000 service members assigned to Joint Task Force-Southern Border have downed more than 300 drones since 2026 began using "kinetic and non-kinetic systems", while Northern Command characterized targeted drones as "hostile" for threatening personnel.
- Mexico's Defense Ministry reports maintaining "mirror operations" since February 2025 to disrupt trafficking, though the mistaken downing of a CBP drone near Fort Hancock raised coordination concerns between military and federal agencies.
- Sociologist Rodrigo Peña notes that technological innovation challenges traditional ideas of state authority, as President Claudia Sheinbaum warned any unilateral U.S. action on Mexican soil would breach sovereignty.
50 Articles
50 Articles
BT
berlingske.dkAccording to Mexico's defense minister, drones are being used at the US-Mexico border by human smugglers.
US shoots down over 300 cartel drones along Mexico border
The United States military has shot down more than 300 drones operated by drug cartels along its border with Mexico since the beginning of 2026, the US Northern Command said Friday. The command, known as USNORTHCOM, said 100 of the drones were shot down in August alone, although it did not specify whether the interceptions […]
The Mexican Minister of Defence stated that they were commercial drones, used to identify "open roads, where there is no presence of the authorities".
Through anti-drones technology, including sophisticated laser systems, the U.S. government prevents suspicious drones from entering the southern border
The U.S. Armed Forces have knocked down 11 drones of cartels using lasers since they installed technology along the Mexican border last week, U.S. authorities said this Friday.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 54% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
