Mexico: Drug Cartel CJNG Adopts Brutal Tactics From Middle East Terrorists | Here's What They Added to Their Arsenal

Mexico's top drug cartel, Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), adopted new ways from Middle East terrorists to deal with their rival Mexican drug cartels and other entities from the country.

According to New York Post, the top drug cartel from the country resorted to using land mines and explosive-laden drones, which is inspired by the tactics the Al-Qaeda and the Taliban use during warfare.

Texas-based security consultant and expert on Mexican cartels, Robert Almonte, said that it was not surprising that CJNG added landmines to their list of weapons.

"Jalisco Nueva Generacion was the first to use drones with explosives attached to them, so it doesn't surprise me that they are now using landmines and taking a page from Al Qaeda," Almonte said.

The new tactics CJN adopted were reported to be used by the gang to kill rival gang members, police, and even soldiers. Almonte noted that their goal aligns with their philosophy that if you are not with them, you are against them.

Meanwhile, Mexican law enforcement and security forces shared that CJNG also sought the help of Middle East jihadis as "technical advisors."

"It doesn't surprise me that they [CJNG] are consulting with terrorists because what they are engaging in are acts of terrorism," Almonte added.

Mexico: Mexican Drug Cartel CJNG Uses Drones and Landmines

Earlier in February, Mexican soldiers deactivated 12 artisanal land mines in Tepalcatepec, Michoacan after a Sandcat vehicle was nearly destroyed by a similar device on January 29, per Milenio.

According to security forces, the said land mines were composed of cylinders that contained gunpowder and two-millimeter-thick iron that acts as shrapnel. The said device also featured a battery with two connectors with cables.

According to U.S. authorities, the pipe bombs found in Michoacan, Mexico can have an explosive capacity of at least 2.2 kilograms. Authorities furthered that evacuation distance should be at least 366 meters for people to be safe when the said explosives detonate.

In mid-January, El País mentioned a recorded video that showed a drone, controlled by the CJNG, dropping several bombs also in Tepalcatepec. The outlet stressed that these kinds of attacks have been happening in the state for a few years.

Reports emphasized that the Michoacan state experiences this violence "every few months."

Head of Security at the Center of Mexico-US Studies in California University in San Diego, Cecilia Farfán Méndez, said that the intention of using drones is for it "to be seen."

Méndez said that using drones is "glamorous and scandalous." However, she underscored that the drones' implication in the future "is not clear."

Mexican Drug Cartels in Michoacan, Mexico

Michoacan State is known to be heavily controlled by the Mexican drug cartel CJNG.

Per Mexico's Security and Civil Protection, the state recorded the highest homicide last year, amounting to 2,732.

The fatalities resulted from warring Mexican drug cartels, including CJNG, Cárteles Unidos, and Caballeros Templarios, as they battle for control over the state.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written By: Joshua Summers

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