Written by Joshua Bennett.

The CIA has been quietly flying drones over Mexico, tracking down fentanyl labs with pinpoint accuracy. This program, which started under Biden, is now getting a major boost from Trump. Despite being labeled “secret,” it’s out in the open now, and people are debating what it really means for the U.S.-Mexico relationship and the war on drugs.

How the Drone Program Got Off the Ground

This isn’t some new operation. The drone surveillance program was already rolling during Biden’s presidency. The CIA would gather intel and send it to Mexican authorities, but the response was sluggish. Labs were located, but the crackdown was slow and inconsistent. Now, under Trump, there’s a much stronger push to shut down these operations for good.

Unlike the military, which largely sticks to border patrol, the CIA takes a more aggressive approach, flying deep into Mexican territory. The drones aren’t launching airstrikes, but they are collecting chemical signatures that reveal hidden labs. This data is then shared with Mexico, urging them to take action.

The problem? These labs aren’t in isolated areas. They’re tucked into cities, hidden among regular homes. That makes direct attacks tricky. No one wants civilian casualties, and an airstrike could easily turn into a disaster. So, for now, the approach is to gather intel and push Mexico to handle enforcement on the ground.

Trump’s Plan to Turn Up the Pressure

Trump’s not just expanding the drone program—he’s taking things further. There’s talk of officially labeling several major drug cartels as “foreign terrorist organizations.” That’s a huge move. Once that happens, it opens the door for more aggressive action, including military intervention if necessary.

Reports say Trump’s administration is losing patience with Mexico’s response. The U.S. has provided the intel, but if Mexico drags its feet, Trump might not wait around. Training Mexican forces could be the next step, but if that doesn’t yield results, more drastic measures could follow.

At home, this fits right into Trump’s larger border security plans. He’s been vocal about the fentanyl crisis, which kills over 100,000 Americans each year. His argument? If Mexico won’t deal with the cartels, the U.S. has to step in. That’s why drones are in the sky, and that’s why the pressure is ramping up.

The catch? Cartels aren’t sitting ducks. They’re adaptable. If one lab gets shut down, they’ll move and set up shop somewhere else. They’ve done it before with other drugs, and they’ll do it again. The real question is whether this new pressure will slow them down or just push them deeper into the shadows.

What This Means for the Average American

Why should you care about drones flying over Mexico? Because fentanyl isn’t a distant problem—it’s in your city, your town, maybe even your own home. Overdose deaths are skyrocketing, and the drugs aren’t being made in some far-off land—they’re coming straight from across the border. This program is supposed to hit the problem at its source.

But here’s where things get messy. If the U.S. pushes too hard, it could cause serious problems with Mexico. Economic ties could take a hit, border issues could escalate, and if things really spiral, we could see conflict brewing with our neighbor. On top of that, pouring millions into drones and intelligence gathering won’t mean much if Mexico doesn’t act on the information.

Then there’s the bigger issue: enforcement. Finding labs is one thing, but actually stopping the drug flow is another. Cartels aren’t amateurs. They’ll change tactics, relocate, or bribe officials to stay in business. This is a never-ending game of cat and mouse. The drones might be a step in the right direction, but they aren’t a magic fix.

Our Take

This whole plan is a double-edged sword. Trump’s heart is in the right place—fentanyl is destroying lives, and the cartels don’t care. But relying on drones and intelligence gathering while threatening military action? That’s dangerous territory. History shows that when the U.S. gets too aggressive in other countries’ affairs, it rarely ends cleanly.

Pushing Mexico into a corner might backfire. If they feel like they’re being strong-armed, cooperation could break down entirely. And while a strong border policy makes sense, flexing military muscle without a clear long-term plan just looks like a show of force rather than an actual solution.

The real issue isn’t just finding labs—it’s stopping the demand, cutting off supply routes, and making sure law enforcement on both sides of the border is actually working together. Right now, this feels more like a political move than a real fix. Until there’s a comprehensive strategy, this is just another Band-Aid on a much bigger problem.