Mexican Cartels Send Members to Ukraine for Drone Training

"Sol Prendido" for Borderland Beat 

Until now, there was no clear reason why the United States applies an additional screening process for Mexicans who have set foot in Ukraine within the last four years, but this might be the explanation. Milenio gained access to a national intelligence document documenting that cartel members have traveled to Ukraine—and, naturally, not with good intentions. Members of organized crime groups go there to train, for instance, in drone operation. 

Mexican cartel members are reportedly traveling to Ukraine to pose as war volunteers and receive training in the operation of high-tech drones. The goal: to return to Mexico and use that knowledge against authorities, civilians, and rival criminal organizations. 

The information comes from a report by the National Intelligence Center that was sent to the Security Service of Ukraine after the presence of Mexicans and Colombians—allegedly linked to the Jalisco and Sinaloa cartels—was detected. 

According to the document, they are seeking training in the operation of FPV (First-Person View) drones, which allow the operator to view—in real time and through special goggles—the exact images captured by the device's camera, creating the sensation of being on board. 

One of the cases under investigation involves a Mexican national known by the alias "Águila 7."  He reportedly entered Ukraine in March 2024 using a fake Salvadoran identity, posing as a humanitarian volunteer. He subsequently completed a drone training course in the city of Lviv. 

The Ukrainian instructors reportedly determined that the subject already possessed advanced technical knowledge, such as the operation of analog transmitters, the identification of blind spots in thermal imaging systems, and electronic countermeasures.

The investigation also established that one of the Mexicans who arrived in the country from Eastern Europe—a region currently at war with Russia—had reportedly received training with the Mexican Army's Special Forces Airmobile Group. 

The interest in FPV drones is significant. In Ukraine, they are used for reconnaissance and attack missions—including fiber-optic controlled models, which ensure a constant connection with the operator and offer greater resistance to signal jammers. In Mexico, cartels are already using commercial drones for surveillance and, in some cases, to transport and drop explosives. Intelligence reports reveal an even more dangerous shift: 

They are no longer just looking to buy the technology; they are seeking to recruit personnel with military experience and expertise gained directly in war zones. Proficiency in piloting FPV drones, conducting reconnaissance, managing transmissions, and employing techniques to evade electronic warfare are key skills that, according to Mexican intelligence, could end up in the hands of Mexican criminals. 

Source: Milenio