Reconsidering U.S. Special Forces Deployment against Mexican Cartels
Brandan Buck, a research fellow in foreign policy studies at the Cato Institute shares some insights on the renewed proposal to deploy U.S. Special Forces against Mexican drug cartels. While this approach has been discussed before, there are significant concerns about its feasibility and potential unintended consequences.
Here’s a brief overview of the key issues:
Increased Capabilities of Cartels: Cartels like Los Zetas, Sinaloa, and CJNG now operate with sophisticated military equipment, including:
- Armored vehicles
- Armed drones and IEDs
- Heavy weapons and surface-to-air missiles
Tactical Training and Local Knowledge: Some cartel members, trained by former Mexican military personnel, are now highly skilled in asymmetric warfare tactics, posing a considerable challenge to U.S. forces.
Asymmetric Conflict and Combat Parity: Deploying Special Forces could draw them into a prolonged and costly conflict, with cartels enjoying:
- Near-peer combat capabilities
- Local terrain advantages and likely support from communities in cartel-controlled areas
Flawed Comparison to ISIS Campaigns: Unlike in Syria and Iraq, where ISIS faced local government opposition, Mexico’s cartels operate in areas with limited central government control. This dynamic would likely hinder the effectiveness of any U.S.-led operations.
Risks of Power Vacuums and Regeneration: If the cartels’ leadership is weakened, the vacuum might be filled by new criminal organizations, much as was seen in Afghanistan. Without strong governance, the cartels’ networks could quickly re-emerge.
Political Points vs. Practical Solutions: Although military action may appeal politically, it’s unlikely to address the underlying governance issues in Mexico or substantially reduce drug trafficking into the U.S.
Overall, while the cartels pose a serious threat, a military solution could lead to further instability and might necessitate prolonged U.S. involvement with limited success. Addressing the root governance and economic issues in cartel-affected areas may be a more sustainable solution.
You can read Brandan’s full piece, here. Let us know if you’d like to discuss this further with him.
