Criminal Groups Are Ramping Up Explosives in Mexico- Dr. Bunker of SWJ gives insights for InSight Crime
Criminal Groups Are Ramping Up Explosives in Mexico by and
In a startling development tracked by InSight Crime, Mexican criminal groups are dramatically escalating their use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). This is transforming the landscape of cartel warfare. The statistical trajectory is alarming. From a mere 3 IEDs seized between 2020-2021 to an unprecedented 1,375 in 2022, these weapons have rapidly spread across Mexico, expanding from three concentrated states to 25 out of 32 states by October 2024.
Dr. Robert Bunker, founder of Small Wars Journal – El Centro, provides critical insights into this phenomenon. He emphasizes that IEDs are now “fully in the cartel arsenals,” marking a significant shift in criminal tactical approaches. Intense territorial competitions and strategic advantages drive criminal organizations to proliferate these devices.
From InSight Crime:
“According to Dr. Bunker, they are often used to intimidate extortion victims, block roads and hinder the passage of rival groups or state forces, as well as to bomb specific targets, such as enemy hitman camps.”
For Dr. Bunker, the increase in criminal competition in Mexico is one of the main reasons for the growing widespread use of IEDs.
“When a plaza is contested by opposing cartels of relatively equal strength, the intensity of the fighting sees their personnel resort to more military-like tactics and weaponry,” he told InSight Crime.
The economic and tactical appeal of IEDs is clear. Initially constructed from simple plastic tubes filled with gunpowder, these devices have evolved to include metal tubes, drone integration, and landmine adaptations. This demonstrates rapid technological sophistication.
The epicenter of this IED escalation lies in the border region between Michoacán and Jalisco. This region accounts for 40% of all seizures. The area represents a critical battleground between the Jalisco Cartel New Generation (CJNG) and various local resistance groups. This highlights the intense territorial conflicts driving this weaponry trend.
The broader implications are profound. Local researcher Julio César Franco notes that this weaponization transforms community dynamics. It makes residents “prisoners in our own homes” and disrupts essential activities like agricultural production and school functioning. Additionally, criminal groups repeatedly attack armed forces, significantly disrupting military operations.
Experts like Paloma Mendoza from the Autonomous Technological Institute of Mexico (ITAM) suggest this represents an innovative adaptation in criminal warfare. She says this adaptation is similar to how groups in the 2010s began replicating the extreme tactics of the Zetas. The ease of production, low cost, and strategic utility make IEDs an increasingly attractive option for criminal groups seeking competitive advantages.
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The full article offers a comprehensive exploration of this critical trend in Mexican criminal warfare. It provides essential context for understanding the evolving dynamics of regional security.
