The U.S. military has reportedly used laser technology to intercept and destroy drones linked to Mexican drug cartels near the border with Mexico, according to a report published by the Mexican newspaper La Jornada.
Cartels have increasingly turned to small, commercially available drones for surveillance, smuggling, and even attacks, making them a growing security concern for both Mexican and U.S. authorities. In response, U.S. forces appear to be testing or deploying directed-energy weapons—lasers capable of disabling aerial threats without traditional gunfire—as part of broader efforts to secure the border region.
The use of such technology would mark a notable escalation in the tools being used to counter cartel operations, which have grown more sophisticated in recent years. Drones have been used by criminal groups to monitor the movements of security forces, transport drugs and other contraband across the border, and in some documented cases, to carry explosives.
While details remain limited, the report highlights how the Pentagon may be adapting military-grade countermeasures, typically associated with combat zones, for use in domestic border security operations. This raises questions about the scope of U.S. military involvement in addressing cartel-related threats and the broader implications for U.S.-Mexico security cooperation.
For the full story and additional context, read the original report at La Jornada.
Image: Chris Hunkeler, BY-SA 2.0 (via Openverse).