Mexican drug cartels claim to have sophisticated US military weapons

On Oct. 1, Mexico's newly elected President Claudia Sheinbaum will be the first female to take office and face her first test: the growing threat of drug cartels. A report released on Saturday, June 29, said that Mexican drug cartels are claiming to have increased firepower, including sophisticated U.S. weaponry like the FGM-148 Javelin Missile. The infrared guided missile launcher is reportedly capable of blowing up tanks and taking down low-flying helicopters.

U.S. officials deny that these cartels have the Javelins, but security consultant David Saucedo said that they do have these weapons. An anonymous Mexican security official said two Javelins were recently confiscated from a major cartel in Mexico.

Additionally, a helicopter crash that killed a security chief and four others in a central Mexican state in November may not be an accident. A self-proclaimed Mexican mercenary said that he trained the person who allegedly shot the chopper down. Meanwhile, Saucedo said that the shrapnel analyzed by forensic experts only fits the FGM-148 Javelin Missile. Another security official reportedly confirmed that the chopper was shot down by an "explosive projectile." The official did not verify the make of the weapon.

Analysts believe the reason that cartels revealed information on their arsenal of weapons is for a "show of force" toward the incoming Mexican president.

The Mexican military has found more than 2,800 landmines since 2018 from cartels. The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives confirmed that cartels now possess mini-guns capable of extreme damage.

Some U.S. politicians have pushed for military action against Mexican drug cartels and these latest reports could strengthen those proposals.

The ramifications could also include a military conflict. The self-proclaimed Mexican mercenary who spoke to USA Today said that the cartels will not hesitate to fight back if the U.S. chooses to intervene.

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