A significant concern has arisen regarding the escalating violence of drug cartels operating along the U.S.-Mexico border, particularly with the recent warnings issued by U.S. Border Patrol Chief Mike Banks, who has emphasized that combating these groups is a top priority for his agency. In recent weeks, the troubling trend of drug cartels planting improvised explosive devices (IEDs) near the border has emerged, culminating in a deadly incident in late February 2025, where a 74-year-old Texas rancher and another man were killed by one of these explosives near Brownsville, Texas. Officials also reported that a woman was injured as a result of this attack, highlighting the grave danger posed by the ongoing cartel violence.
Since being appointed as Border Patrol chief in January 2025, Banks has expressed deep concerns about the potential for cartel-related violence to spill over into the United States. Speaking in an interview with NewsNation, Banks explained, "The threat of violence spilling over into the United States from cartels along the southern border is very real." He pointed out that memos have been distributed to border agents to raise awareness about potential attacks, particularly in light of recent drone incursions from groups now designated as terrorist organizations.
Specifically, Banks cited instances of drone-related violence that have been attributed to cartel-on-cartel confrontations, stating, "We have seen cartel-on-cartel violence that involves drones. We prepare and train to be ready to fight the enemy on any ground." He assured that the Border Patrol has the technology in place to counter these threats while highlighting their ongoing efforts to reduce the cartels' capacity to generate revenue.
Adding to the concerning trend, U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported that agents are encountering an average of 250 individuals per day across the southern border, a significant drop of over 95% concurrent with President Trump's administration aimed at curtailing illegal immigration. Yet, this decrease in encounters has not entirely suppressed cartel activity. In fact, reports indicate that cartel-related incidents continue to escalate.
In a recent series of alarming events, Edgar Armanda Vargas-de la Rocha, a cartel scout apprehended in late February, shared with authorities that he had helped smuggle about 1,000 undocumented immigrants into the U.S. over the past year. Captured dressed in camouflage and equipped with binoculars, Vargas-de la Rocha was first arrested while authorities investigated technical malfunctions affecting federal equipment in the region. He reportedly earned $10,000 for information regarding the activities of U.S. Border Patrol agents, signaling a worrying trend in cartel scouts directly undermining border security efforts.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, Congressman Keith Self, a Republican from Texas, has publicly called for a more aggressive posture against the cartels. He argues that the U.S. should adopt an offensive strategy rather than remaining passive in response to cartel violence. In further emphasizing the need for decisive action, President Trump has floated the idea of deploying American troops into Mexico as part of a broader military strategy to combat the influential drug lords.
Trump's administration has already categorized several cartels, including the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, as foreign terrorist organizations. This designation is part of Trump's executive orders aimed at strengthening national security and addressing the pervasive threats posed by these groups. Representative Richard Hudson, a Republican from North Carolina, echoed these sentiments, stating the urgency of the situation: "These cartels control our southern border... They are very dangerous. They're flooding our neighborhoods and streets with [dangerous] drugs."
Despite the dire situation laid out by officials and representatives, not everyone agrees with the current strategies employed by the Trump administration. Some experts, like Alex Nowrasteh from the Cato Institute, have argued that legalizing drugs, rather than escalating confrontations with cartels, may be a more effective approach. Nowrasteh stated, "Cartels will only be put out of business by legalizing drugs and immigration, not by declaring war on them."
The situation at the border remains fluid, as law enforcement agencies grapple with escalating threats from drug cartels. The U.S. Border Patrol remains committed to its goal of gaining operational control over the border, as Chief Banks reaffirmed: "We will get operational control of the United States border, absolutely." While efforts to combat cartel violence continue, the ramifications of their operations are felt within communities across the United States, reflecting a growing concern for public safety.
