By “El Huaso” for Borderland Beat
Drones being use by warring Gulf Cartel factions in Tamaulipas, 2025.
The Pentagon disclosed that U.S. military units assigned to Joint Task Force–Southern Border took down approximately 100 suspected cartel drones along the U.S.-Mexico border in August 2026. This is the first time U.S. authorities have provided information on the number of cartel drones they have downed.
NewsNation separately reported that about 300 suspected cartel drones were downed in the first eight months of 2026. Operations were coordinated with Mexican military and border authorities. Pentagon spokesperson Kingsley Wilson said the systems are defensive, intended to protect U.S. personnel and border security missions from cartel drone threats. Officials did not name specific cartels or exact locations for the August incidents.
Mexican criminal groups primarily use drones near the U.S. border to surveil U.S. law enforcement and transport small amounts of drugs. Drones have been used in combat in the state of Tamaulipas between criminal groups.
Sources: FoxNews, NewsNation, Borderland Beat Archives

Don't Miss:
-
Organized Crime Postponed Democracy in Haiti, Again | The InSight Take
-
Unstoppable Violence in Michoacán: 31 Police Officers Killed, and Criticism of the Government Mounts
-
A Total of 13 Mass Graves Have Been Found in Viesca Containing the Charred Remains of Men and Women
-
Jorge Luis Zambrano, alias “Rasquiña”
-
El Taliban Fell In Mazatlán… And What He Confessed Ties Everything Together

Anwar Ibrahim: The Man Who Became the Compromise
The US is letting a convicted Bolsonaro spy chief stay in Florida. Brazil wants answers.
Rick Claypool on Pay to Play Corporate Crime Enforcement
