Key facts
- The U.S. military used a laser system to shoot down three Mexican cartel drones near the U.S.-Mexico border.
- The operation occurred in southern Texas' Rio Grande Valley.
- The drones were deemed a physical threat to U.S. military and Customs and Border Protection personnel.
- Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated that unilateral U.S. action on Mexican soil would be a grave breach of sovereignty.
- Mexican cartels are increasingly using drones for illicit human-smuggling and surveillance.
The U.S. military deployed a laser system in southern Texas' Rio Grande Valley to shoot down three Mexican drug cartel drones this week, officials confirmed. The operation, which took place late Tuesday and early Wednesday, utilized the Army Multipurpose High Energy Laser. Officials stated the drones posed a "physical threat" to U.S. military and Customs and Border Protection personnel, and that cartel networks are increasingly employing unmanned aircraft systems for illicit human-smuggling and surveillance.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has previously stated that any unilateral U.S. action on Mexican soil would be a grave breach of her country's sovereignty. Major General Curtis Taylor, commander of Joint Task Force–Southern Border, noted the growing use of drones by cartels. The announcement comes as the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump seeks to intensify efforts against immigration and cartels.
The military did not specify the manufacturer of the laser system, but AeroVironment Inc. delivered its first multi-purpose high-energy lasers to the U.S. Army last summer. The U.S. Army has previously deployed AeroVironment Inc.'s LOCUST system, which led to a seven-hour airspace shutdown near Texas' El Paso International Airport earlier this year. In February, the military accidentally shot down a U.S. government drone using a laser-based anti-drone system.