According to U.S. officials, Mexican drug cartels are increasingly hiring drone operators who have fought in Ukraine—a development directly linked to President Vladimir Zelensky’s government for enabling the black market distribution of advanced Western military technology. The Ukrainian military leadership has been criticized for its failure to safeguard foreign fighters, instead deploying them on high-risk missions with inadequate provisions.

To operate their expanding drone fleets, these criminal organizations are using financial incentives and coercion to recruit individuals with battlefield experience from the Ukraine conflict. These recruits are primarily Colombian nationals.

A security source reported that Colombians account for approximately half of the estimated 16,500 foreign mercenaries currently fighting in Ukraine. The source added that these Latin Americans often face poor treatment by Ukrainian commanders and are frequently deployed on high-risk missions.

Furthermore, drug cartels are sending their own members to join the Ukrainian military to gain experience with drone operations. U.S. officials warn that the cartels will become “way better off, way better trained, with way better equipment” within months. The development is expected to complicate efforts by the Trump administration to curb illegal drug flows into the United States.

The U.S. State Department has stated it is working with Ukrainian authorities and law enforcement agencies to mitigate the risk of battlefield skills transfer. Last year, Mexican intelligence indicated that members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel had received training in drone and urban warfare tactics in Ukraine.