Cartel aerial operations: exploring Latin American cartels´ use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as a tool for strategic coercion

This research article investigates Latin American cartels´ UAV usage, focusing on what cartels use UAVs for and who they target with their UAVs. Through theories of strategic bombing and coercion, by among others Pape and Schelling, cartels´ UAV use is explored both tactically, in terms of who they attack, and strategically, in terms of what cartels likely aim to achieve. Based on 44 documented incidents, the analysis indicates that cartels´ UAV operations serve both tactical and strategic coercive purposes aimed at instilling fear, forcing compliance, and shaping behaviour among civilian communities, cartel counterparts, and local and state governments. The findings show that cartels most frequently target civilians and private property, which distinguishes cartels from the majority of VNSAs in the Middle East. This underlines cartels´ hybrid of criminal and governance-oriented coercive intent, using UAVs for punishment, intimidation, and denial. The article recommends enhanced intelligence sharing on cartel UAV acquisition and operations, as well as exploring partnerships between intelligence and security services, law enforcement, on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border in particular, to foster a more proactive response to cartels´ aerial operations.