By Matt Underwood It appears there’s been a new development in the ongoing efforts to combat powerful drug cartels in Mexico, with reports suggesting a U.S. military-led group played a role in the recent hunt for “El Mencho,” the elusive leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). While the headlines might suggest a direct U.S. military operation, the reality seems to be a bit more nuanced, pointing towards a collaborative intelligence-gathering effort.
Essentially, a cross-border task force, spearheaded by the U.S. military, has been actively mapping out the intricate networks of these cartels. This task force focuses on gathering intelligence, providing a crucial foundation for operations against these criminal organizations.
According to former officials, the U.S. provided Mexico with a detailed “target package,” indicating specific intelligence about El Mencho’s whereabouts or activities. This suggests that the U.S. was able to pinpoint valuable information that could lead to the cartel leader’s capture or elimination.
From the Mexican side, officials confirm that Mexico planned and executed the raid. This highlights the crucial role of Mexican law enforcement and military in carrying out these sensitive operations on their own soil, leveraging the intelligence provided. It’s important to note that while the U.S. may have provided the intel, the actual operation was carried out by Mexican forces.
This collaborative approach, where the U.S. provides intelligence and Mexico conducts the operational side, appears to be a strategic decision to avoid direct U.S. military involvement in potentially dangerous ground operations within Mexico. This allows both nations to achieve their objectives without putting American forces in harm’s way.
There’s a sentiment that this kind of partnership isn’t entirely new, and has been a long-standing method for bringing down high-profile cartel leaders. The DEA, for instance, has been engaged in decades of operations targeting major narcotraficantes.
Some observers draw parallels to video games like “Ghost Recon Wildlands,” where tactical intelligence gathering and coordinated strikes are key. It’s thought that the Mexican army likely requested or was given intelligence by the U.S. on optimal locations and timing for the strike.
The idea of the U.S. providing intelligence and support while Mexico handles the execution makes sense from a strategic standpoint. It fosters strategic bonds with a neighboring partner and allows for effective action against a common threat without escalating U.S. military presence on the ground.
The shutdown of El Paso airspace around the time of these reports further fuels speculation that some significant intelligence activity was underway, likely linked to the operations against El Mencho.
The effectiveness of these operations, however, is a subject of debate. Some point out that even when the “head of the snake” is cut off, the cartel’s operations often continue, with someone else stepping in to maintain the drug flow. This raises questions about the long-term strategic impact of such takedowns.
There’s a cynical view that these operations can be used for obfuscation, to hide the “real reason” behind taking out a particular cartel leader. This perspective suggests that the narrative of U.S. intelligence leading to the capture might be a convenient cover for other political or strategic motives.
The underlying issue of drug demand in the U.S. is also frequently raised. Many commenters believe that a more effective long-term solution would be drug legalization and regulation, arguing that the current approach perpetuates violence and corruption.
The conversation also touches on the broader implications of cartel power, with concerns that these organizations might eventually become too powerful for the Mexican government to effectively combat, a pattern seen in previous administrations.
The potential for retaliation against Americans in Mexico, regardless of their involvement, is a serious concern. The ongoing volatility and the nature of cartel operations mean that any significant action against them could have dangerous repercussions.
There’s a belief that U.S. military-grade signals intelligence (SIGINT) is exceptionally effective at locating targets. However, without a comprehensive long-term plan to address the resulting power vacuums and potential for further instability, such operations can lead to unintended negative consequences.
Ultimately, while the U.S. military-led group’s intelligence-gathering activities appear to have been instrumental in aiding Mexico’s pursuit of “El Mencho,” the situation is complex, involving a delicate balance of international cooperation, operational execution, and the ongoing, often challenging, fight against powerful criminal enterprises.