Signal Non-state drone use spreading across Latin America and Yemen

Summary

Eurasia Group documents how armed groups outside state control are adopting drones. In Colombia, armed groups carried out more than 80 drone attacks in 2025, compared with under 20 the previous year. In Brazil, gangs dropped grenades from drones on police during an operation in Rio de Janeiro. In Yemen, the Houthis have developed their own drone programme and used armed UAVs in over 1,000 recorded events. The report concludes that for groups outgunned by conventional forces, such as rebels, smugglers and cartels, armed drones are becoming the preferred weapon.