As the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) continues to reshape itself following the death of its leader, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, a top U.S. general said the development has fueled instability among Mexican cartels..
As reported by Infobae México, Air Force Gen. Gregory Guillot, commander of U.S. Northern Command and the North American Aerospace Defense Command, said during a hearing before the House Armed Services Committee that, following the operation to capture El Mencho, new forms of harassment an threats against U.S. troops have been recorded, ranging from phone hacking to direct threats.
During the hearing, Guillot acknowledged that troops deployed along the U.S.-Mexico border have been targeted by digital and personal attacks in recent weeks as a result of the instability following the CJNG leader's death.
"I am aware of the threats and, of course, any threat to any of our forces is something that not only concerns me, but requires significant attention to ensure we are addressing it properly," Guillot said, adding that additional drone patrols and unmanned aircraft have been deployed in high-risk areas to reduce the risk of direct attacks.
According to data from U.S. Southern Command, the Defense Department has deployed more than 12,000 service members along the border and established six national defense areas covering 845 miles, or 42% of the border across Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas.
"The escalation of violence between cartels, and within them, remains a concern as rival groups fight for control of territory and trafficking routes," the head of Northern Command said.
In recent years, Mexican cartels have significantly increased their use of drones in criminal operations. According to a report published last year by the Ministry of National Defense, drug cartels use drones because they are difficult to detect, relatively inexpensive, capable of precise navigation and subject to limited regulations from the government.
According to El Informador, a Jalisco based outlet, the Defense Ministry has identified the main criminal groups using drones as the CJNG, Cárteles Unidos and the Santa Rosa de Lima cartel, all of which operate in Jalisco, Michoacán and Guanajuato.
According to a study conducted in late 2025, drone attacks in Mexico more than doubled in 2024 compared with the previous year. The report noted that Mexico recorded 77 drone attacks in 2024, compared with 35 in 2023.
Henry Ziemer, an associate fellow for the Americas Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said that cartels are also buying signal jammers to protect themselves from attacks by rival factions.
"Mexico has been at the leading edge of illicit drone use not just as a weapon against the state and rivals, but also as a means of intimidating and pressuring the civilian population," the expert added.
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