You could argue that Mexico is following the route of other SA countries ravaged by drug cartel wars and becoming near failed states. I am more worried by the increasing use of military hardware, especially armed drones.
Large submarines capable of transatlantic journeys carrying drug shipments are already in use and being found - how long before large long range drones are put into regular use - and how long before the use of armed drones starts being used in cartel wars inside the USA and perhaps against US birder and federal forces?
Anti-drone technology will have to grow up real fast....
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/c...lice-m39gm6pzd
Cartel sends explosive drones to attack police
A Mexican drug cartel has begun using drones laden with explosives to attack security forces, according to the country’s defence secretary.
Luis Cresencio Sandoval said the Jalisco New Generation cartel had used explosive drones against the police and army in the states of Jalisco, Guanajuato and Michoacán. Local media reported that the drones carried hand grenades, though photos circulating online showed them carrying taped packs of explosives.....
For weeks Michoacán, central Mexico, has been the setting for a vicious battle for territory. Jalisco New Generation, a powerful and well-established cartel, is trying to oust a newer rival known as the New Michoacán Family. Trenches have been cut across roads to block the routes of rivals and prevent police and soldiers from intervening.
Officials in Mexico have long warned of the threat of drones, though the latest attacks were the first to cause injuries. Last year two drones laden with C4 plastic explosive were discovered by authorities in an abandoned car in Michoacán which was believed to belong to Jalisco.
The gang has used small planes to drop bombs on its enemies and there have been reports of drones carrying drugs over the US-Mexico border.
Jalisco New Generation emerged in 2009 and has successfully overtaken many of the older cartels in the country. US officials have estimated that it controls about a third of the drugs moving through Mexico. It has mostly battled for supremacy with the Sinaloa cartel, which was once led by Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, 64, who was sentenced last year to life in prison in the US.
While the Sinaloa exercised its power relatively discreetly, Jalisco is famed for propaganda. Last year it released a video on social media which appeared to show that it had built a private army, complete with dozens of uniformed soldiers and a fleet of camouflaged armoured vehicles.