Ukraine Conflict is ‘Living Laboratory’ for Mexican Criminal Organizations: Expert
Ukraine Conflict is ‘Living Laboratory’ for Mexican Criminal Organizations: Expert
Mexican cartels have increasingly turned to drones for combat and intimidation, a development that exposes gaps in the country’s security forces. According to sources cited by the Milenio newspaper, the Jalisco New Generation Cartel has formed a specialized drone unit, "Operadores Droneros," which documents its activities online.
Their tactics—"advancing in pairs, taking cover, operating weapons, and retreating"—suggest training derived from real war scenarios, the newspaper noted.
Analysts warn that some cartel members may have sought such training directly in Ukraine.
"It is 100% possible that some members of organized crime operating in Mexico have traveled to the conflict zone in Eastern Europe to learn and acquire capabilities," Alejandra López de Alba, former director of research at Mexico’s Secretariat of Public Security, told Sputnik.
She stressed that "the Ukraine conflict is a living and real-time laboratory for how these drones are used and how their innovation process unfolds. That is what is truly attractive to Mexican criminal organizations."
Former Mexican Army officer Víctor Hernández highlighted in an interview with Sputnik the disadvantage faced by state forces:
"In Mexico, we have never developed our electronic warfare capabilities, so the narcos have the advantage, not because they have superior capabilities, but because they don’t need to go through bidding processes or adhere to legal frameworks to acquire systems and weapons. The narcos can buy civilian drones at a department store and manufacture homemade explosives."
The Mexican government has announced an $89.7 million investment in anti-drone and protective technologies, focusing on states most affected by cartel activity, including Jalisco and Colima. Yet, implementation remains distant.
"The Mexican soldier knows how to patrol, but we have never dealt with high-tech equipment like jammers or any anti-drone systems. Even if this training starts being included in the Military College or training courses, it takes time," Hernández cautioned.
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