US President Donald Trump speaks to reporters after stepping off Air Force One upon returning to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on July 19, 2026. Trump is returning to the White House from New Jersey, where he attended the 2026 World Cup Final. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP)
The United States military has shot down more than 300 drones operated by drug cartels along its border with Mexico since the beginning of 2026, the US Northern Command said Friday.
The command, known as USNORTHCOM, said 100 of the drones were shot down in August alone, although it did not specify whether the interceptions took place on the US or Mexican side of the border.
USNORTHCOM, which oversees military operations in the United States and neighbouring countries, linked the drones to drug trafficking and other illegal cross-border activities but did not identify any specific cartel.
According to the command, the drones were being used by “transnational criminal organisations” to facilitate illegal activities, including smuggling and surveillance of law enforcement and military personnel.
