US Forces Down Around 100 Cartel Drones at Southern Border in August

By "El Huaso" for Borderland Beat

Drones being use by warring Gulf Cartel factions in Tamaulipas, 2025.

The Pentagon disclosed that U.S. military units assigned to Joint Task Force–Southern Border took down approximately 100 suspected cartel drones along the U.S.-Mexico border in August 2026. This is the first time U.S. authorities have provided information on the number of cartel drones they have downed.

NewsNation separately reported that about 300 suspected cartel drones were downed in the first eight months of 2026. Operations were coordinated with Mexican military and border authorities. Pentagon spokesperson Kingsley Wilson said the systems are defensive, intended to protect U.S. personnel and border security missions from cartel drone threats. Officials did not name specific cartels or exact locations for the August incidents.

Mexican criminal groups primarily use drones near the U.S. border to surveil U.S. law enforcement and  transport small amounts of drugs. Drones have been used in combat in the state of Tamaulipas between criminal groups.

Sources: FoxNews, NewsNation, Borderland Beat Archives