Cartels Escalate Tension with Boarder Patrol
Author is a boarder patrol agent on the Texas-Mexico boarder and friend of the Front Porch Co-Editors who wished not to be named for fear of public backlash.
Published: Winter 2025
The escalating tension between cartels and U.S. Border Patrol has taken a dangerous turn following a series of significant actions by the Trump administration and the state of Texas. These moves, which have rattled transnational criminal organizations, have led to a frightening response—one that threatens both U.S. law enforcement and the general public.
On February 20, 2025, President Trump followed through on a key promise by issuing an executive action that designated eight major cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) and Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs). This move targeted groups like the Cartel de Sinaloa, Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación, and MS-13, all notorious for their violent operations. Trump’s Executive Order 14157 highlighted the growing threat these organizations pose to national security, American citizens, and the stability of the Western Hemisphere. The State Department’s designation aimed to provide U.S. law enforcement with additional tools to combat these groups and dismantle their operations both domestically and internationally.
The designation marked a crucial turning point in the U.S. strategy against cartel violence. By labeling these organizations as terrorist groups, the Trump administration made it clear that cartel violence would not be tolerated and that these groups would face heightened pressure from federal authorities.
Meanwhile, the state of Texas ramped up its efforts in the fight against illegal immigration and cartel violence. Governor Greg Abbott reached an agreement with the Trump administration, allowing Texas National Guard soldiers to make immigration-related arrests under the supervision of Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Governor Abbott confirmed that the new policy would be implemented immediately, giving Texas National Guard members an active role in combating illegal activities along the border, as reported by Fox News.
These aggressive moves did not go unnoticed by the cartels. The cartels, in response to this new pressure, have authorized the use of weaponized drones to target U.S. law enforcement. The drones are reportedly outfitted with explosives, representing an alarming escalation in the tactics used by these criminal organizations. This new weaponry showcases the cartels’ increasing willingness to engage in extreme violence in order to maintain control and disrupt law enforcement efforts. The U.S. Army has since deployed advanced ground-based radars along the U.S.-Mexico border to track and spot weaponized unmanned aerial systems.
These developments underscore how the Trump administration’s actions and Texas’ bold moves have pushed the cartels into more drastic measures than they would typically employ. The designation of cartels as terrorist organizations has significantly disrupted their operations, forcing them to escalate their tactics, including the use of deadly drones. The decision to weaponize drones is a shocking example of this shift, indicating that the cartels are prepared to go to any length to protect their operations and continue their reign of terror.
Trump’s memo has definitely shaken the cartel to the core. The battle against these criminal organizations is far from over, and the escalation of tactics, including drone attacks, marks a dangerous new chapter in this ongoing conflict.
From the Editors...
We'd like to thank the author of this article for his service to our country. We pray for your safety and that the small town voice of America would win over every heart and mind to appreciate the service and heart of what you do.
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