The Future of Criminal Drone Use in Latin America

Criminal groups in Latin America are rapidly advancing their use of drones, with members reportedly gaining combat experience in Ukraine to bring back to the Western Hemisphere. These non-state actors are adopting first-person view one-way attack drones and integrating them with improvised armored vehicles, creating a crude form of combined arms warfare. The innovation extends beyond aerial systems, as demonstrated by the recent interdiction of a remotely piloted "narco-submarine" designed for drug trafficking. This evolution in tactics presents a significant challenge to the sovereignty of regional governments and requires a swift response to counter the growing capabilities of these groups.