Mexican Cartels Order Hits on U.S. Agents, Senator Lee Suggests Privateers Help Out [WATCH]

Mexican drug cartels have authorized attacks on U.S. Border Patrol agents and military personnel using kamikaze drones and other explosives, according to an internal memo obtained by The New York Post.

The warning comes amid increased enforcement efforts and giving them the designation of ‘Terrorist Organization’ by the Trump administration to secure the southern border.

#BREAKING: President Trump has just signed an executive order designating drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations

They can now be targeted with LETHAL FORCE by the U.S. military.

This is HUGE. pic.twitter.com/WAf7HhKVAY

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) January 21, 2025

Celebrate Trump’s Historic 2024 Victory with the Exclusive Trump 47th President Collection!

The memo, titled “Officer Safety Alert,” was issued by the El Paso Sector Intelligence and Operations Center (EPT-IOC) and cited intelligence gathered from social media posts and other sources.

The document urged agents to remain vigilant, wear ballistic armor, and be prepared with long firearms while on duty.

“On February 1, 2025, the El Paso Sector Intelligence and Operations Center (EPT-IOC) received information advising that Mexican cartel leaders have authorized the deployment of drones equipped with explosives to be used against U.S. Border Patrol agents and U.S. military personnel currently working along the border with Mexico,” the memo stated.

“It is recommended that all U.S. Border Patrol agents and DoD personnel working along the border report any sighting of drones to their respective leadership staff and the EPT-IOC,” the document added.

Federal law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), have been alerted to the threat. Fox News Digital has reached out to these agencies for further comment.

According to News Nation, Mexican drug cartels have been using social media platforms, including TikTok, to incite violence against U.S. law enforcement.

Some posts have encouraged illegal immigrants to spit and urinate on ICE agents and defecate in their vehicles. Other messages have gone further, urging assassins to target border personnel.

Violence along the border has escalated in recent weeks.

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) reported that last week, Border Patrol agents came under gunfire from cartel members while patrolling in Fronton, Texas.

The Texas Department of Public Safety (TxDPS) has released Drone Footage of the suspected Cartel Terrorists that opened-fire earlier today, on U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agents patrolling near the Town of Fronton in Starr County. The Suspects were tracked by TxDPS Drones… pic.twitter.com/pss4kE5c8B

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) January 28, 2025

The suspects, who were attempting to evade Mexican military forces, fled to an island between Mexico and the U.S.

The memo comes as the Trump administration continues its aggressive measures to secure the border and combat illegal immigration.

Deportation raids targeting individuals with criminal records have intensified, and new security measures have been enacted to disrupt cartel activities.

According to intelligence cited in the memo, cartel leaders are reacting to the increased U.S. presence at the border, which threatens their smuggling operations.

The Post reported that cartels see stronger border enforcement as a direct threat to their drug and human trafficking profits.

Amid rising cartel violence, U.S. Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) has suggested that the U.S. government should authorize private parties to target cartel operations for profit.

“Congress could issue letters of marque and reprisal authorizing private security firms or specially trained civilians to intercept cartel operations, particularly those involving drug shipments or human trafficking across borders,” Lee wrote on X. “Focus on disrupting supply lines, capturing high-value targets, or seizing assets like boats, vehicles, cash, gold, or equipment used in criminal activities.”

5/ How Could They Be Applied?

– Authorization: Congress could issue letters of marque and reprisal authorizing private security firms or specially trained civilians to intercept cartel operations, particularly those involving drug shipments or human trafficking across borders… pic.twitter.com/AxkAWKB17k

— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) January 27, 2025

Lee argued that such an approach could reduce costs to taxpayers by allowing privateers to be compensated through a portion of the assets they seize and return to the U.S.

As border tensions escalate, federal agents are on high alert, and lawmakers continue to explore new strategies to combat the growing cartel threat.

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of LifeZette. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.