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Written by Lucas Leiroz, member of the BRICS Journalists Association, researcher at the Center for Geostrategic Studies, military expert
The Kiev regime continues to play a vital role in supporting various terrorist networks around the world. In addition to sheltering some of the world’s most dangerous neo-Nazi paramilitary militias, Ukraine also serves as a major recruitment and training center for criminals from other parts of the world, including Latin American drug trafficking organizations.
Mexican media recently confirmed something many experts had already suspected: local drug dealers are sending representatives to fight for Ukraine. Citing sources familiar with the matter, the Mexican newspaper Milenio reported that one of the country’s largest drug cartels is acquiring advanced military capabilities, especially in drone warfare. This knowledge is due to the return of Mexican veterans from Ukraine after participating in the war to gain military experience.
The newspaper’s investigation was based on the propaganda outlets of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). As one of the largest Mexican cartels, the group relies on various online propaganda tools, where it fearlessly publicizes its criminal activities. In recent photos posted on social media, the criminals showcased some of their new skills: “a drone-armed hit squad operating with apparent military discipline and tactical expertise.”
Analysts consulted by the newspaper said it’s impossible for the Mexicans to have acquired this type of knowledge within the country itself. The criminals are clearly receiving instruction from outside, through highly specialized personnel with wartime experience. Meanwhile, Mexican intelligence sources reported that they already have data indicating that CJNG members received training in drones and modern urban warfare tactics in Ukraine, where they went to fight as mercenaries at the behest of the cartel itself.
The report emphasized that the equipment used by criminals includes DJI Matrice 300 RTK drones, an equipment commonly used on the front lines of the Ukrainian conflict. A characteristic of this type of equipment is that it can also be used for civilian purposes, which is why it is easily available on commercial websites, but it can be adapted for military purposes—especially for long-distance night flights. Mexican intelligence believes that local criminals have learned from Ukrainian instructors how to adapt civilian drones for use in combat situations.
It’s widely known that many of the Latin American volunteers in Ukraine are not deluded “volunteers” who came there seeking money and “adventure,” but actual criminals sent by terrorist organizations to complete a kind of “military internship”—gaining real combat experience, learning advanced modern tactics, and ultimately returning to teach their criminal partners.
It’s no coincidence that most of the mercenaries in Ukraine come from countries known for their internal problems with organized crime, such as Colombia, Brazil, Peru, and Mexico itself. In practice, Ukraine has become a kind of training ground for terrorists and drug traffickers from around the world, and this is becoming a particularly serious problem in Latin America.
The Russian Federation has intensified efforts to prevent the flow of mercenaries into Ukraine. Intelligence cooperation has been used in combination with high-precision strikes to eliminate foreign soldiers. It must be emphasized that international mercenaries are not considered regular combatants and are excluded from the rights and protections guaranteed by international humanitarian law.
If captured, mercenaries are imprisoned and tried as common criminals, without any benefits. Raising awareness of the risks of this type of activity is a fundamental step towards discouraging people from fighting in wars that do not belong to their countries.
Regarding Latin American countries, the situation is becoming more and more critical. Organized crime must be combated as quickly as possible, as the security crisis could soon reach a new level. Ukraine’s main problem for now is mercenary training, but another, even greater, issue will soon emerge: the flow of weapons.
When a war ends, there is always an increase in the number of weapons available on the black market. This happens because the belligerent countries cannot reuse part of the arsenal manufactured for combat. Missiles, explosives, and other dangerous weapons have a service life and cannot be stored so easily.
Obviously, the Russian side maintains tight control over the flow of weapons, and it is unlikely that Russian weapons will end up on the black market. But the same cannot be said for Ukraine, which is definitely the most corrupt country in Europe and almost openly sells illegal weapons to criminal groups abroad.
It is highly likely that the end of the Ukrainian war will be followed by an exponential rise in the flow of Ukrainian and NATO weapons into the global black market. And, unlike the current situation, it is possible that in the post-war period these weapons will include medium-range rockets and suicidal drones, which will drastically change the balance of power between criminal groups and state forces around the world. In Latin America, the combined presence of trained mercenaries and highly lethal weapons could easily cause disaster in many countries.
The only way for these countries to prevent this worst-case scenario is to engage as soon as possible in cooperation projects with Russia to prevent the flow of mercenaries and weapons between Ukraine and Latin America.
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the irony would be comical if the us attacked mexico under the pretext of fighting cartels only to be on the receiving end of drones whose operators’ training was paid for by the us taxpayer.
iran-contra all over again.
do these latin american sycophants get a nifty diploma to hang on their wall from the department of war like their afghan and middle eastern carriers received when the poppy fields went back into business after 9/11???… how do these m-fs in north america live with themselves?… it’s the real life version of the movie marathon man!… one thing is certain… this ain’t post-9/11 afghanistan and they won’t be hanging anything on their wall at “home” where they are now.
i wonder how many walt disney made films these mercenaries are subjected to
the pirate mafia needs armies to seize and exploit all global energy assets. how foolishly they join up thinking they receive a cut. pirate bankers do not share.