US Uses Lasers to Shoot Down Drones Along Mexican Border

The US military has used lasers to shoot down 11 drones since deploying the technology along the border with Mexico last week. US officials believe the drones are linked to illegal activity in the border area.

More than 300 drones have been shot down along the US-Mexico border this year, according to the military. More than 100 of those incidents occurred in August alone.

It has not been disclosed whether the lasers were used against drones flying over US or Mexican territory. That distinction carries particular sensitivity in Mexico. President Claudia Sheinbaum has previously said that any unilateral US action on Mexican soil would constitute a serious violation of Mexico’s sovereignty.

According to the US military’s Northcom, which covers the United States and its neighboring countries, drones are used in smuggling operations and to monitor police and military forces. Mexico’s Defense Minister Ricardo Trevilla said human smugglers mainly use drones to identify border locations where authorities are not present.

Trevilla said Friday that the Mexican and US governments coordinate by sharing information about the border. He did not say whether Mexico’s military had participated in any operations targeting drones connected to cartels.