Why Mexican cartels are increasingly using car bombs and other explosives

Drug cartels in Mexico are increasingly resorting to car bombs, explosives-filled drones, and improvised explosive devices, a pattern that may exacerbate Mexico's already strained relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump, who has frequently threatened military action against the cartels. This trend was recently demonstrated by an explosion outside a police station in Ojocaliente, a city 360 miles northwest of Mexico City, which injured 11 people and damaged over 60 homes despite no fatalities.

In 2026 alone, Zacatecas has experienced 23 explosive attacks, including six involving cars or motorcycles packed with explosives, according to state Attorney General Cristian Paul Camacho.

While car bombings are uncommon in Mexico, they have been utilized in the past. A 1994 attack in Guadalajara by the Tijuana Cartel targeted Sinaloa Cartel co-founder Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, who was subsequently convicted in the United States. A more recent issue plaguing Mexico is the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) expanding its influence throughout the country and increasingly employing explosives as a weapon of choice.