U.S. Military Deploys Reaper Drones to Target Cartels in South America

Clear Facts

• The U.S. military has moved MQ-9 Reaper drones from Africa to Colombia and Ecuador to combat drug cartels.
• American Special Forces are also operating in the region as part of this expanded counter-cartel effort.
• Officials acknowledge this approach applies lessons from two decades of counterterrorism operations.

Washington is applying two decades of hard-earned battlefield experience to combat the enemy in America’s backyard.

Yet this tactic may not destroy cartels at the root.

On Monday, the U.S. military moved a number of MQ-9 Reaper drones from Africa to Colombia and Ecuador.

American Special Forces have been deployed alongside the drones to support operations against the cartels.

“This represents a significant shift in how we confront the threat posed by these criminal organizations,”

“We are bringing proven capabilities to bear in a new theater of operations.”

The decision reflects the view that cartels represent a direct threat to American security.

Critics argue that targeting leadership alone will not solve the underlying issues of corruption and demand.

Supporters maintain that disrupting cartel operations is essential to restoring law and order.

Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.