Texas DPS Drone Captures Cartel Gun Battle on Mexican Side of Border

In a revealing look at the dangerous realities along the U.S.-Mexico border, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) recently released intense thermal drone footage showing a cartel gun battle on the Mexican side of the Rio Grande.

The firefight, captured near Donna, Texas, in Rio Bravo, Tamaulipas, highlights the volatility in regions controlled by Mexican cartels. These videos underscore the challenges facing Texas as it deals with the spillover effects of cartel violence and cross-border drug trafficking, with concerns mounting about the Biden administration’s policies on border security.

The video, recorded by DPS’s Aircraft Operations on October 23, shows a heated confrontation between cartel factions. The thermal footage, which was posted by Texas DPS Lt. Chris Olivarez, reveals an exchange of gunfire and even an explosion, with cartel members engaged in a fierce turf battle.

Such gunfights are common among the Gulf Cartel and its splinter groups as they battle for dominance over smuggling routes that facilitate the movement of drugs and human trafficking networks across the border.

This episode is just one of many showing how cartels have become emboldened, drawing closer to the U.S. and conducting violent operations near American towns. Officials and some lawmakers attribute the surge in cartel violence to what they describe as inadequate federal border policies.

According to critics, the Biden administration’s handling of border issues has created an environment in which cartels can operate freely, knowing they face little resistance on the U.S. side. This sentiment is echoed by many border-state officials, including Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who have criticized federal efforts, or lack thereof, to control the border.

In another video captured by DPS on October 22, several individuals are seen unloading large bundles of drugs into a dump truck in Cameron County, Texas. This scene unfolded as part of a joint anti-smuggling operation between Texas DPS and U.S. Border Patrol agents.

Thanks to quick action by the team, authorities were able to intercept the truck and seize over 700 pounds of marijuana. The driver was arrested and now faces federal drug trafficking charges. These drug trafficking operations show how porous areas along the border continue to enable smuggling activities, making it challenging for local and state authorities to maintain security.

Since the launch of Operation Lone Star in 2021, Texas DPS has been actively working to counter the flow of illegal drugs and the surge in cartel violence spilling across the border. Initiated by Governor Abbott, Operation Lone Star aims to supplement federal efforts by dedicating state resources to curtailing human and drug trafficking.

By partnering with local, state, and federal agencies, the initiative seeks to mitigate cartel influence and restrict their operations on the Texas side of the border. Abbott and others argue that the federal government’s perceived “inaction” has necessitated a state-led initiative, with Operation Lone Star representing Texas’s attempt to take control where they feel federal oversight has failed.

Governor Abbott has repeatedly cited the U.S. Constitution as a basis for state intervention in border security. Specifically, Article IV, Section 4 of the Constitution asserts that the federal government is responsible for protecting states against invasion. This clause, Abbott argues, empowers states to act if the federal government does not fulfill its duty.

Supporters of the governor’s stance argue that cartel violence and rampant trafficking constitute a de facto “invasion” that poses a direct threat to the safety and sovereignty of Texas. By invoking Article IV, Abbott and others believe Texas has the constitutional grounds to enhance security measures, even if it means going beyond traditional state responsibilities.

Critics of the administration’s border policies say they have led to a law enforcement and humanitarian crisis at the border, where cartel violence and trafficking activities are rising. The footage of cartel violence near Texas, just yards away from U.S. territory, highlights the risk to American citizens in border towns and the toll on resources as local law enforcement agencies attempt to combat the inflow of crime.

The images shared by DPS offer a stark view of the chaos across the border, underscoring the urgent need for a robust response to protect Texas residents and secure the border. With drones capturing cartel battles and drug trafficking on video, Texas officials argue that the need for stronger border enforcement is not just a local issue but one of national security. The footage captured in recent weeks showcases a conflict that reaches beyond the bounds of U.S. law enforcement alone and underscores the call for federal action to stabilize and secure the Southern Border.


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