Signal Latin American Crime Groups Adopt Drones, AI Scams, and Cyber Intrusions

Summary

A 2026 policy outlook describes Latin American organized crime groups — including Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel and CJNG, Brazil's PCC and Comando Vermelho, Italy's 'Ndrangheta and Camorra, the Albanian mafia and Chinese triads — diversifying into drones, AI-enabled fraud and cyber intrusion alongside physical violence. Colombian authorities reported more than 8,000 drone-based attacks in 2025 by guerrilla and criminal groups, and in April 2026 a drone attack attributed to the group Comandos de la Frontera killed three soldiers and wounded two near the Ecuadorian border. In March 2026, Ecuadorian police intercepted an explosive-laden drone headed toward the El Oro No. 1 detention center in Machala, illustrating drone threats against prison facilities. In Colombia's Catatumbo region and Mexico's Michoacán state, groups have deployed unmanned aerial and underwater vehicles for surveillance, drug transport and attacks on rivals and authorities. These organizations remain engaged in fentanyl precursor supply, human trafficking, illegal mining, wildlife trafficking and money laundering through PRC-based banks, companies and cryptocurrencies. FIU's Jack D. Gordon Institute, which tracks the trend through its Latin America Outlook 2026 and Hemispheric Security Conference, warns of expanding corruption and violence tied to new technologies and covert payment channels.