Is the US Preparing Drone Attacks on Cartels in Mexico?

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – In a move that could mark a significant escalation in the fight against drug trafficking, President Donald Trump’s administration is discussing the possibility of targeting Mexican drug cartels with drone strikes, according to six current and former U.S. military, law enforcement, and intelligence officials cited by NBC News.

The discussions are said to be in the early stages, with officials weighing the scale of potential action and debating whether Mexico’s cooperation should be obtained. Sources say the deliberations include striking cartel figures and their logistical networks on Mexican soil using U.S. drones. If ultimately carried out with Mexico’s approval, such a mission would be unprecedented in its use of U.S. military force and in the sheer number of U.S. personnel potentially involved.

However, officials have not ruled out the option of taking unilateral action—conducting covert strikes without explicit agreement from the Mexican government—as a last resort. Despite these discussions, the sources emphasize that no formal decisions have been made, nor have U.S. officials formally presented the idea of drone strikes to Mexican authorities.

The possibility of drone operations follows years of ongoing efforts to stem the flow of illegal drugs across the U.S.-Mexico border. While the United States has previously provided intelligence support, training, and coordination in counter-cartel efforts, offensive drone strikes would represent a new and controversial approach.

For now, no agreements appear imminent. The question of Mexico’s participation—or potential objections—remains unresolved. Administration officials have yet to offer any public comment on the subject, and there is no timeline for when, or if, the plan might move beyond the current exploratory conversations.