Cartels Reportedly Give Green Light To Members To Attack U.S. Border Patrol With Drones And Explosives

Cartels operating in Mexico have reportedly been given green light to attack U.S. Border Patrol agents with weapons such as drones and explosive devices as the Trump administration moves to crack down on illegal activities they profit from, including drug and human smuggling.

An internal memo from the agency cited social media posts and other sources to back its claims, reminding agents to wear ballistic armors and use long firearms when performing their duties.

"On February 1, 2025, the El Paso Sector Intelligence and Operations Center (EPT-IOC) received information advising that Mexican cartel leaders have authorized the deployment of drones equipped with explosives to be used against US Border Patrol agents and US military personnel currently working along the border with Mexico," reads a passage of the memo, as reported by the New York Post.

"It is recommended that all US Border Patrol agents and DoD personnel working along the border report any sighting of drones to their respective leadership staff and the EPT-IOC," the document added.

Such an episode took place last week, when alleged human smugglers linked to an undisclosed cartel exchanged gunfire with U.S. Border Patrol agents as they tried to cross the southern Texas border on Monday, per the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).

A DPS drone tracking the alleged criminal group captured video of them reportedly fleeing Mexico due to military presence and seeking refuge on an island between the U.S. and Mexico, according to DPS Lieutenant Chris Olivarez, who shared the images via social media.

In a written statement, Olivarez revealed that Border Patrol agents patrolling in Fronton, Starr County, "received gunfire" from the men. A still image from the drone video shared by the lieutenant shows at least one alleged cartel member aiming his weapon. The Border Patrol agents reportedly returned fire and received assistance from DPS agents during the encounter.

In that context, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth warned on Monday that the U.S. reserves the right to move against cartels in Mexico if the Trump administration believes the country is not doing enough on its end.

Speaking to press during a visit to the southern border, Hegseth said he knows Trump "is in constant contact with the president of Mexico" and he had conversations with the "head of Defense and Navy."

"We want them to secure their own territory and sovereignty, but we reserve the right – should there not be an ability to police international and violent cartels – to protect our own sovereignty as well. We hope Mexico will step up. We expect they will."