Mexican drug cartels now possess advanced weaponry including Javelin missiles and pose a more significant threat to American national security than foreign adversaries like China, Russia, or Iran, according to a military expert.
Quick Takes
- Doug Macgregor claims Mexican cartels present a greater danger to the US than traditional adversaries like China, Russia, or Iran
- Border agents face sophisticated threats including cartel-operated drones, tracking devices, and operational leaks
- Cartels allegedly possess advanced weaponry systems including Javelin missiles
- Macgregor indicates some American officials may be compromised and on cartel payrolls
- Experts call for urgent Congressional action to provide resources for border security technology and personnel
Advanced Weapons in Cartel Hands
According to Retired Colonel Douglas Macgregor, Mexican drug cartels have reportedly acquired sophisticated weaponry that rivals military-grade equipment, including Javelin missile systems positioned near the US border. This alarming development significantly elevates the threat level posed by these criminal organizations. The presence of such advanced weapons systems gives cartels unprecedented leverage and offensive capabilities that could potentially be deployed against American targets, including border patrol agents, law enforcement personnel, or critical infrastructure. These weapons acquisitions represent a major escalation in the ongoing border security crisis and signal the evolution of cartels from mere drug trafficking operations into paramilitary organizations with significant offensive capabilities.
Military experts suggest these weapons may have entered cartel arsenals through various channels, including black market purchases, corruption within military supply chains, and potentially through diverted international arms shipments. The acquisition of such sophisticated weaponry demonstrates the cartels’ extensive financial resources and international connections. Border security experts note that the traditional focus on drugs and human trafficking may have allowed the weapons buildup to occur without adequate attention from American intelligence and law enforcement agencies, creating a dangerous security gap along the southern border.
Sophisticated Threats Against Border Agents
Border patrol and immigration enforcement agents now contend with an array of high-tech threats deployed by cartels. These include surveillance drones that track agent movements, wireless tracking devices that can identify and locate enforcement personnel, and intelligence leaks that compromise planned operations. The technological sophistication of these criminal organizations has forced significant changes in border security procedures. U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents have stopped wearing body cameras due to concerns that Bluetooth connections could be exploited by cartel operatives to track their locations and movements, creating dangerous vulnerabilities for field personnel.
The suspension of body camera usage presents additional complications for border enforcement operations. Without video evidence, agents may become more vulnerable to false accusations of misconduct or excessive force, creating administrative and legal challenges. Border security experts report that the cartels have intensified their threatening activities in response to increased enforcement efforts at the border, reflecting a strategic shift toward intimidation and violence against federal agents. These evolving threats require new approaches to agent protection and border security operations.
EXCLUSIVE BREAKING NEWS – US Border Patrol has a memorandum to not use body cameras because of a threat of improvised explosive devices (from source).
Reported text of memo: "Effective Immediately until further notice, agents will cease the use of body worn cameras, Border..1/
— Ioan Grillo (@ioangrillo) February 15, 2025
Alleged Corruption and Compromise
Perhaps most concerning are allegations that some American officials may be compromised by cartel influence. According to military and security experts, cartels have successfully placed certain government officials on their payrolls, potentially compromising border security and law enforcement operations from within. If accurate, these corruption allegations represent a significant national security vulnerability that extends beyond traditional border security concerns. The potential for compromised officials to influence policy decisions, share sensitive operational information, or interfere with enforcement actions creates multilayered security challenges.
Border security experts emphasize that addressing these threats requires a comprehensive approach including enhanced vetting procedures, corruption investigations, and stronger support for frontline personnel. The operational security environment has become increasingly complex with reports of information leaks that have compromised ICE raids and enforcement operations. These security breaches not only undermine mission effectiveness but potentially place agents in danger of ambush or targeted attacks by cartel operatives with advance knowledge of enforcement activities.
Policy Responses and Resource Needs
National security experts emphasize that countering these sophisticated cartel threats requires substantial investments in technology, equipment, intelligence capabilities, and personnel support. Current border security measures have struggled to keep pace with cartel innovations and weaponry acquisitions. Security professionals have called on Congress to expedite funding for advanced technologies that can detect and counter drone surveillance, improved intelligence gathering capabilities, and enhanced protective equipment for field personnel. Without these resources, border enforcement agencies will remain at a significant disadvantage against increasingly militarized cartel operations.
Border security professionals note that a successful counter-cartel strategy must extend beyond traditional drug interdiction efforts to address the broader security implications of cartel military capabilities. This includes treating cartels as national security threats rather than merely criminal organizations and developing coordinated strategies between law enforcement, military, and intelligence agencies. The evolution of cartels into organizations with advanced weapons systems and sophisticated intelligence capabilities necessitates a correspondingly advanced security response to protect American borders and communities from these expanding threats.
