Mexico: army warns of criminal attacks with drones and explosives against soldiers

Luis Cresencio Sandoval, leader of the Mexican Army, has pointed out the growing threat represented by drones and explosive devices used in attacks against military forces carrying out patrol work in areas affected by the presence of organized crime, especially in Michoacán, a state located in the Pacific region. The general reported on the seizure of 980 artifacts in Michoacán, an area that stands out for its high homicide rate, attributed to the violent dispute between drug trafficking cartels for control of the drug traffic across the Pacific.

“Indeed, we have had some attacks with drones and mainly here, in Michoacán, is the state where they have increased, we have had the highest number here, also in the use of explosive devices improvised“, declared the Secretary of National Defense at the morning government conference.

Just last Tuesday, three farmers were killed by the explosion of a homemade land mine on a dirt road in Michoacan.

And, last week, a group of alleged hitmen in the state fired assault rifles and used drones with explosives against a military convoy that was carrying out operations against organized crime, which left four soldiers dead and nine injured.

The head of the Army stated that this “has led to taking action”, as a plan to acquire technology that “allows counteracting the action of drones”, and “the rapid location of this type of explosive devices”.

“That they avoid harming our personnel when they are carrying out reconnaissance activities or patrols in areas where the organized crime. We already have a plan“, held.

In Michoacan At least 14 criminal groups operate, such as the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), The Knights Templar and the Tepalcatepec Cartel, which maintain a fight that has left around 300 violent homicides in just the first 60 days of 2024.