Mexican cartels equipped with American weapons: anti-tank tanks

Mexican drug cartels are reportedly arming themselves to show new President Claudia Sheinbaum that they are loaded with weapons, including FGM 148 Javelin anti-tank infrared-guided missile launchers made by U.S. defense contractors.

The timing of the revelations and the training to use them raise questions about who the real power holders and influencers are in Mexico, a source told USA Today on Sunday.

“It's about showing the government, maybe this one or the next one, that they have the capacity to launch attacks of this type with the weapons they have,” David Saucedo, a security consultant, told the newspaper. “It's their secret weapon, but they can use it if necessary. That's my impression.”

Javelins are shoulder-mounted close combat/anti-armor missile launchers designed to destroy tanks on the battlefield, but they can also be fired to destroy helicopters and drones.

Biden administration officials deny cartels' claims that they have them and have the training to use them, but reports also indicate Pentagon tracking of these weapons contains 'holes,' report says .

In fact, a Mexican security secretary told USA Today that several Javelins have been confiscated from cartels, including the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.

There is also forensic evidence showing that Javelins were used to shoot down helicopters belonging to political figures, according to the report.

“Weapons like this present extreme danger when they fall into the hands of criminals,” ATF Director Steven Dettelbach said last year.

“They are looking for a higher level of weaponry than Mexican law enforcement. »

Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has vowed to use the U.S. military against Mexican drug cartels, but the announced new weaponry could make for a complicated battle.

The cartels “would not hesitate to use it against [U.S. forces]if they dare enter the country,” a cartel source told USA Today. “It would create a terrible war.

“We will not let Mexican forces stop us, much less a foreign force.”