US Northern Command Praises Mexico’s Anti-Drone Efforts

Mexico City — US Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) has credited Mexican authorities and US agencies with adapting their operations to counter drones used by drug cartels to facilitate drug and human trafficking.

“USNORTHCOM recognizes the efforts of our interagency and Mexican partners to adapt and defeat cartel drone operations that facilitate drug and human trafficking,” the command said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. “Together we are strengthening the security of our shared border.”

Drones Are Not Armed, Sheinbaum Says

President Claudia Sheinbaum has said the drones used by organized crime groups along Mexico’s northern border are not weaponized and are commercial devices deployed to monitor authorities during illegal migrant trafficking.

Defense Secretary Ricardo Trevilla Trejo said the joint US-Mexico counter-drone operation, known as “Águila Alta” (High Eagle), has yet to produce results on the Mexican side. He said a meeting with US authorities is scheduled for next week to exchange information and follow up on the operation’s results.

No Results on the Mexican Side

Trevilla Trejo said Águila Alta operates along a five-kilometer strip of the border, centered on Mesa de Otay, extending 500 meters into Mexican territory with a similar zone on the US side.

“So far there have been no results on the Mexican side,” he said. “Next week there will be a meeting with US authorities to exchange information and follow up on the results they obtain.”