U.S. Boosts Covert Drone Operations Over Mexico in War on Fentanyl Labs**

The CIA has expanded its covert drone operations over Mexico, targeting the detection of fentanyl labs as part of an intensified strategy by the Trump administration against drug cartels, with border security efforts also being reinforced by Mexico.**

The United States has significantly increased covert drone flights over Mexico as part of a heightened initiative to locate fentanyl labs, a move aligned with the Trump administration’s more assertive strategy against drug trafficking cartels, according to U.S. officials. The secret drone program, initially established during Biden's presidency, has seen a resurgence under President Trump, who, along with C.I.A. director John Ratcliffe, has committed to a more forceful approach against these criminal organizations.

U.S. officials, who wish to remain anonymous, disclosed that while the drone flights extend deeply into Mexican territory, the C.I.A. has not received permission to conduct lethal operations. Instead, intelligence gathered from these flights is shared with Mexican authorities to aid in their law enforcement efforts. The drones have shown promise in successfully identifying illicit labs, as they release chemicals identifiable from the air.

Amid these operations, the Mexican government has initiated its own actions to combat concerns over fentanyl, deploying a contingent of 10,000 troops to the border in an effort to curb smuggling. However, U.S. officials are pressing for more decisive actions, urging Mexico to take stronger measures to dismantle fentanyl production facilities and seize drug shipments.

The stakes are high, with the ongoing battle against the flow of fentanyl—responsible for a significant number of overdose deaths in the United States—calling for increased cooperation and innovative tactics from both U.S. and Mexican authorities.