Mexico City: The United States said Friday it had shot down over 300 drones operated by cartels along the Mexican border since the start of 2026.
The US Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) -- which covers the United States and neighboring countries -- linked the drones to the drug trade, without naming any specific group.
It said it shot down 100 drones in August alone but did not say on which side of the border.
The US military said the devices were used by "transnational criminal organizations... to support illegal cross-border activity, including smuggling operations and surveillance of law-enforcement and military personnel."
Mexican Defense Secretary Ricardo Trevilla claimed they were chiefly used by migrant smugglers, to detect places along the border "where there is no authority present."
But drones have also been used in cartel attacks on rival groups or on the authorities.
In October last year, the prosecutor's office in the Mexican city of Tijuana on the US border was attacked by an explosive-laden drone.
The attack caused damage but no casualties.
