By Charles Switzer
12:47pm PST, Jan 29, 2025
Cartel Shoots at U.S. Drone in Latest Border Standoff
Shocking footage captures the moment Mexican cartel operatives opened fire on a U.S. Border Patrol drone near Guadalupe Guerra, Texas, on Monday, January 27. Armed with high-powered rifles, four gangsters were seen creeping through the Rio Grande, attempting to evade Mexican military forces.Texas Department of Public Safety spokesperson Chris Olivarez confirmed the incident, stating, "The State of Texas will continue to monitor the area closely and use every resource available to prevent transnational threats."
The cartel members ultimately remained on the Mexican side of the border, but their bold attack on American surveillance has, in the words of one border patrol analyst, only served to "continue escalating tensions."
Here's everything to know.
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'Cartel Island' Cleared as Texas Cracks Down on Border Crime
Fronton Island, an infamous hotspot for cartel activity, has been dubbed "Cartel Island" due to its role in human trafficking and smuggling operations. To deter these activities, Texas officials recently cleared the area of dense scrub to eliminate hiding spots for cartel members.Despite these efforts, cartels continue to exploit gaps in border security. The latest drone footage exposes how these criminal groups are actively testing the limits of U.S. law enforcement, and even "taunting" the drones overhead.
Texas authorities have vowed to maintain a "strong presence" along the Rio Grande to counter ongoing cartel infiltration.
El Mencho Prepares for War Against the U.S.
As President Donald Trump designates Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, the leader of the powerful Jalisco Nueva Generación Cartel (CJNG), Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes — better known as El Mencho — is reportedly preparing for armed conflict.Journalist Anabel Hernández revealed that CJNG has begun stockpiling high-caliber weapons, anticipating a direct confrontation with U.S. forces. "After Trump announced his war against the Mexican cartels, it is the organization that is preparing itself the fastest with powerful weapons to fight," Hernández warned.
The cartel is also monitoring Mexican airports, cities and U.S. consulates, fearing covert American operations.
U.S. Military Reinforces Border with Troops and Aircraft
The Pentagon has deployed 1,500 active-duty service members to reinforce the U.S.-Mexico border. These troops are assisting with helicopter surveillance, barrier construction and security operations to prevent cartel incursions.The U.S. military is also providing aircraft for Homeland Security's mass deportation efforts, with over 5,000 detained migrants set to be flown out of the country.
The move signals a dramatic escalation in border security as the administration seeks to crack down on cartel influence and illegal crossings in its first 100 days.
Trump's 'Fortress America' Strategy May Include Airstrikes
As part of his hardline stance against organized crime, Trump has signaled that he may authorize military airstrikes in Mexico to dismantle cartel operations.His administration has expanded the terrorist designation to include groups from Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela and El Salvador, setting the stage for aggressive action.
With a $15 million dollar bounty on Mencho and legal cases pending against him in Washington, D.C., the pressure is mounting on cartel leaders.
Whether airstrikes will become a reality remains uncertain, but Trump's vow for "swift results at any cost" has cartel bosses on high alert.