Introduction
The use of drones by criminal groups in Mexico has seen a rapid increase, with Sinaloa and Michoacán leading the way in both seizures and attacks involving these devices against Mexican military personnel. According to data released by the Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional (Sedena) through its Transparency Platform, between 2019 and October 20, 2025, military and National Guard personnel secured 134 drones across 20 states.
Seizure Trends
The highest number of drone seizures occurred between January and October 2024, with a total of 85 drones confiscated. Michoacán tops the list with 52 seized drones (38.8% of the national total), followed by Sinaloa with 27 (20.1%), Tamaulipas with 8 (6%), and Veracruz with 7 (5.2%).
- Michoacán: 52 drones (38.8%)
- Sinaloa: 27 drones (20.1%)
- Tamaulipas: 8 drones (6%)
- Veracruz: 7 drones (5.2%)
Chihuahua, Guanajuato, and Guerrero each reported 6 seizures. Baja California, Edomex, and Jalisco had three each; Morelos, Quintana Roo, and San Luis Potosí reported two; while Baja California Sur, Chiapas, Durango, Hidalgo, Nuevo León, Sonora, and Tabasco each reported one.
Hotspots for Drone Attacks
Michoacán and Sinaloa are the primary locations for drone-related violence against military personnel. Michoacán led with seven attacks (43.7% of the total), while Sinaloa followed closely with four (25%) attacks.
- Michoacán: 7 attacks (43.7%)
- Sinaloa: 4 attacks (25%)
The municipalities with the most incidents in Michoacán were Apatzingán, Tepalcatepec, and others facing ongoing criminal disputes and strong federal force presence. In Sinaloa, Culiacán and Badiraguato were the primary locations for drone attacks.
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: Who is responsible for the drone seizures and attacks? A: Criminal groups, primarily cartels in Michoacán and Sinaloa, are using drones for surveillance and attacks against Mexican military personnel.
- Q: How many drones have been seized in total? A: Between 2019 and October 20, 2025, a total of 134 drones have been seized across 20 states.
- Q: Which states have the highest number of drone seizures? A: Michoacán leads with 52 drones, followed by Sinaloa with 27.
- Q: How many attacks against military personnel have been reported? A: At least 16 attacks have been reported, with Michoacán and Sinaloa being the primary locations.
