Mexican drug cartels are increasingly using bomb-laden drones and improvised explosive devices. ‘We are facing steady intensification of violence’
The Jalisco New Generation Cartel, or CJNG, and the Sinaloa Cartel have fought for years over control of Zacatecas.
Mexican drug cartels are increasingly turning to bomb-laden drones and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in their violent tactics, according to recent reports. This trend, which could strain Mexico's already tense relationship with the U.S., has seen a rise in car bombings and IED attacks in recent years. The Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and the Sinaloa Cartel have been particularly involved in these attacks, particularly in the state of Zacatecas.
In a recent incident, an explosion outside a police station in Ojocaliente injured 11 people and damaged over 60 homes. While car bombings are rare in Mexico, they have been used in the past, with one notable attack in 1994 targeting a rival cartel. The use of explosives by cartels is a relatively recent development, with Mexican cartels beginning to extensively use explosives about five years ago.
Authorities have noted a significant increase in the number of explosive devices seized and deactivated in recent years, with 2023 seeing roadway bombs planted by drug cartels in Jalisco state kill six people and injure 14. Experts warn that this trend is intensifying the atmosphere of fear and retaliation, marking a concerning escalation in Mexico's drug-related violence.
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