During a recent 30-day period, American armed forces counted nearly 400 cartel drones operating along the border. The cartels seek to observe American security personnel, record patrol routines, and monitor smuggling activity along the Mexican border as authorities expand efforts to disable cartel drones.

The U.S. military detected 378 drone incursions along the border during the previous 30 days, Brig. Gen. Brian Filler of Joint Task Force-Southern Border recently told reporters. He said the trend was increasing, and the aircraft were typically commercial drones with cameras used for surveillance tied to smuggling and human trafficking.

In times past, the Mexican government has had 45,000 troops and 5,000 police battling several thousand cartel gunmen in 18 states. But most of the action is in a few states along the U.S. border. Two years of violence have left over 8,000 dead. The drug cartels are not strong enough to defeat the government, but they are determined to keep fighting to preserve their lucrative drug business. It's all about ambition, greed, and no inhibitions about killing. You can't make this stuff up. The government is apparently going to keep at it until the cartels are destroyed or adopt a much more low-profile way of operating. Mexican and U.S. security officials have openly discussed increased U.S. support for Mexico in its war against drug gangs. This was called "the Cartel War". The U.S. was concerned about violence spilling over. Politicians in El Paso, Texas, were worried, and they are concerned for their Mexican neighbors in Ciudad Juárez (Chihuahua state). Both Mexico and the U.S. are pushing intelligence sharing (intel on smuggling, drug gangs, weapons, finances, etc.). Some sectors in Mexico criticize this, arguing that intel sharing will likely lead to American contractors (meaning military or intelligence service companies). This is used in a very negative sense, suggesting American mercenaries.

Apparently, the Mexican government thinks hiring expertise to support Mexican operations is a good option. Are joint operations by the U.S. and Mexico possible? Sure, but as both the U.S. and Mexican governments have stressed, such operations must be carefully planned and approved by both governments. Mexican-U.S. joint military operations seemed very unlikely, but it is a good bet that planning officers in Mexico and the U.S. are looking at what we can do for each other if cartels launch attacks in the U.S. or try to create a situation where Mexican military units cross the border in the midst of a combat operation. Some joint operations, well short of combat and focused on increased security presence, make a lot of sense.

Joint communications operations are one example, and joint liaison teams manned by experienced military personnel from both countries are another. You can bet any joint team will operate on both sides of the border. Political cover is one reason Mexicans are sensitive to affronts to sovereignty. However, joint operations on both sides are also common sense since violence and drug smuggling have transnational effects. Ad hoc arrangements and relationships already exist, but both governments appear interested in more formal, permanent cooperation.

Examples of past violence include at least 21 people who died in a firefight in Chihuahua state (130 kilometers south of Ciudad Juarez) between Mexican soldiers and cartel gunmen. The confrontation began as a standoff between soldiers and gang members who had kidnapped nine people. The gangsters executed six of the kidnap victims during the battle. Soldiers lost one of their own and killed 14 gang members. Troops took control of police headquarters in Cancun and arrested the local police commander and 36 policemen. The military announced that it believes the policemen are connected to the murder of retired Mexican Army Brigadier General Mauro Enrique Tello in Cancun. Mexican soldiers and federal police participating in Joint Operation Chihuahua raided a drug warehouse in Ciudad Juarez. The police seized around two tons of marijuana.

James F Dunnigan