Hybrid Violence in Mexico: Cartel Attacks, Tactical Evolution, and the Impact of 2025 Terrorist Designations

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By 2025, Mexican cartels have evolved into hybrid violent actors employing tactics such as IEDs, drone warfare, political assassinations, and disinformation. This marks a shift from traditional criminality to terror-like operations, raising concerns about security and political implications.

By 2025, cartel violence in Mexico no longer resembled the sporadic criminal brutality seen in previous decades. As government capacity and enforcement efforts grew, major criminal groups shifted towards being hybrid violent actors rather than just profit-driven organizations. They adopted tactics often used by foreign terrorist groups—such as improvised explosive devices (IEDs), drone warfare, political assassinations, disinformation campaigns, and … Read more The post Hybrid Violence in Mexico: Cartel Attacks, Tactical Evolution, and the Impact of 2025 Terrorist Designations appeared first on Small Wars Journal by Arizona State University.