In a concerning development, cartels operating near the US-Mexico border have escalated their tactics by engaging in an air war. The Sinaloa Cartel, specifically a faction known as Los Salazar, has recently employed drones to drop bombs on their rival group, Los Pelones, in the town of Sonoyta, located just two miles from the US border. This alarming situation raises questions about the potential spillover of violence into US territory, given the current state of border security.
The proximity of this ongoing battle to US residents is a cause for concern. Sonoyta, where the clashes are taking place, is closer to the US border than the north-south span of Central Park in New York City. The use of drones by cartels has become increasingly prevalent, with the US military estimating that over 1,000 drones violate American airspace near the Mexican border each month.
The possibility of cartel bombings on US soil cannot be dismissed. The lack of effective border enforcement and the perceived inaction from the US government may embolden these criminal organizations to target Customs and Border Protection (CPB) agents or vehicles. The cartels have already resorted to using drone strikes to eliminate threats, as evidenced by their attacks on Mexican soldiers on the southern side of the border.
The growing influence of cartels along the border is a troubling development. They are gradually assuming the role of a de facto sovereign power, even gaining air superiority through their use of drones. Recognizing the severity of the situation, Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) proposed an amendment in the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, urging the federal government to take action against such incursions. However, Senate Democrats have been slow to pass this act, further exacerbating the border chaos.
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I recently came across a case study that highlights the escalating tactics of cartels operating near the US-Mexico border. In this particular instance, the cartel in question had acquired a fleet of small aircraft to further their illegal activities.
The cartel's use of airplanes allowed them to bypass traditional border security measures and transport large quantities of drugs and other contraband across the border. They would fly low and undetected, landing in remote areas or even makeshift airstrips in the desert.
What made this