US shoots down drones belonging to Mexican cartels with lasers
The US military shot down three drones belonging to Mexican drug cartels in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas this week using lasers, Reuters reported, citing US officials on August 27.
The operation was carried out on the night of August 25-26, according to a statement from the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and the US Northern Command (USNORTHCOM). The operation used a multi-purpose high-energy laser from the US Army.
The military did not disclose the exact location of the strikes. It was also not clear whether the operation was carried out over US or Mexican territory. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum had previously stated that any unilateral US action on her country's territory would be a gross violation of state sovereignty.
The military said the drones posed a threat to U.S. troops and Customs and Border Protection personnel.
“Cartels are increasingly using drones to smuggle people and to spy on our personnel,” said Maj. Gen. Curtis Taylor, commander of the Joint Task Force Southern Border.
The statement comes as the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is trying to fulfill campaign promises to crack down on immigration and cartels in 2024.
The Border Force has conducted tens of thousands of reconnaissance and surveillance patrols and thousands of surveillance flights since it was formed in 2025. The military did not identify the manufacturer of the laser system.
AeroVironment Inc. delivered its first two multi-purpose high-energy lasers to U.S. ground forces in the summer of 2025. The U.S. military has previously used the company's LOCUST system.
In early 2026, the use of the system led to a seven-hour closure of airspace near El Paso International Airport in Texas. In February, the military accidentally shot down a U.S. government drone using a laser anti-drone system.
U.S. security officials have expressed concern about the use of drones by Mexican cartels. Cartels often use off-the-shelf drones to drop packages of drugs or monitor smuggling routes.
In areas of Mexico far from the U.S. border, cartels have used drones to carry out deadly attacks by dropping explosives. U.S. and Mexican authorities are working together to combat the proliferation of drones along the border.