Mexican cartel operatives are understood to have joined Ukraine’s frontline so that they can learn advanced drone training to deploy against rivals and US security forces back in their homeland.
Ukraine’s counterintelligence service confirmed it was currently investigating the potential infiltration of its International Legion, a military unit composed of foreign volunteers, by Latin American drug cartels. Other South American countries have taken an interest in the probe, with Colombian nationals being included, which has posed concerns about Ukraine becoming increasingly used as a training ground for criminal activity.
Read more…
Source: The Express U.S. News
Sign up for the Counter-IED Report Newsletters
The latest news and insights delivered right to your inbox
Related:
- Ecuador: Vehicle explosion outside Guayaquil Littoral Penitentiary leaves a prison guard dead
March 13, 2025
An explosion in the early hours of Thursday outside the Guayaquil Littoral Penitentiary, the most dangerous in Ecuador, left one guard dead and two injured and once again alarmed the inhabitants of the area, who have seen their routine altered in recent years due to several riots inside the prison. In daylight, media outlets that reported ...
- Colombia: Violent turf war in Bogotá’s San Bernardo leaves three dead, nine injured
March 13, 2025
An explosion rocked Bogotá’s San Bernardo neighborhood on the night of Wednesday, March 12, leaving three dead and nine injured. Authorities confirmed the incident was caused by a grenade, which detonated near the Bicentenario station of TransMilenio, at the intersection of Carrera Décima and Calle 3. The Santa Fe locality is known for having a significant ...
- Colombia: 17 hurt in explosion in Morales, as peace talks break down
February 25, 2025
An apparent bomb attack in Colombia’s restive southwest wounded 17 people on Monday including three children and two police officers, authorities said, amid growing concern for a fragile peace process. A device, probably a bomb attached to a motorcycle, exploded outside a police station in the town of Morales, Octavio Guzman, governor of the Cauca department, ...
- Mexico: Jalisco Cartel using fake bodyguard job ads to recruit ex Colombian soldiers to produce landmines
February 19, 2025
The Cártel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) is actively recruiting Colombian soldiers in order to handle the installation and production of explosives, more concretely landmines, according to testimony from a former Colombian soldier. The former member of Colombia’s armed forces was allegedly recruited by the Jalisco cartel in 2023. Known as “El Pascual,” the former soldier spent ...
- Colombia: At least 80 people killed in northeast as peace talks fail
January 19, 2025
More than 80 people have been killed in the country’s northeast region following failed attempts to hold peace talks with the National Liberation Army, a Colombian official said. Twenty others have been injured, according to William Villamizar, governor of North Santander, where many of the killings occurred. Among the victims are community leader Carmelo Guerrero and ...
- Cuba declares 13 soldiers dead after blast at military warehouse
January 16, 2025
Thirteen soldiers have died in a fire and ensuing explosion at a military warehouse in the eastern province of Holguin over a week ago, Cuba’s Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (Minfar) said Wednesday. Investigations and analyses conducted by specialists showed that there is no possibility of survival at the site, which is located in the ...
- Humanitarian Mine Action Program Builds Explosive Ordnance Disposal Capability in Peru
January 10, 2025
United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) conducted a three-week intermediate-level Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) course for the Peruvian Armed Forces as part of its Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) program. The HMA program in Peru incorporates a whole of government approach to build Peruvian capacity to address transnational challenges and create opportunities for regional leadership. This effort strengthens ...
- Colombia: Motorcycle loaded with explosives detonated in killing 1 and injuring 14
December 7, 2024
A motorcycle loaded with explosives detonated at a police checkpoint in southwestern Colombia on Saturday, killing the driver and injuring 14 others, authorities said. Officers had been conducting inspections in the community of Las Penas in the Jamundi municipality to prevent possible violence by illegal armed groups, commander of the Cali Metropolitan Police Col. Carlos Oviedo ...
- INTERPOL: More than 28,000 kg of explosives, 3,400 IEDs seized in South America
December 5, 2024
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – An operation in South America has resulted in the seizure of more than 28,000kg of explosive materials, 3,400 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and thousands of other components used in their manufacture. Operation Claymore (11 August – 11 October 2024) brought together law enforcement from nine countries to target the theft, smuggling and ...
- Mexico Sends Dozens of Special Forces Troops To Sinaloa In Bid To Counter Ongoing Cartel Violence
November 29, 2024
Almost three months since the streets of Sinaloa were set ablaze due to territorial conflicts between “Los Chapitos” and “La Mayiza,” two of the Sinaloa Cartel’s most prominent factions, local and federal government officials continue to make efforts in order to curb ongoing violence in the region. In this context, Mexico’s Ministry of Defense (SEDENA) is ...
- Venezuela: Eleven people arrested after explosion, fire at gas complex
November 18, 2024
Eleven people have been arrested as part of an investigation into an explosion and fire at a major gas complex last week, Venezuela’s vice-president and oil minister Delcy Rodriguez said on Monday. The Muscar gas complex in the country’s eastern Monagas region, operated by state oil company PDVSA, was temporarily shutdown after a pipeline explosion caused ...
- Brazil: Suspected bomber dead after trying to enter Brazil’s Supreme Court ahead of G20
November 14, 2024
A man killed himself with a bomb outside Brazil’s Supreme Court after trying to enter the building on Wednesday, officials said, stirring security concerns before the country hosts global leaders from the Group of 20 major economies. The blasts come five days before the G20 heads of state meet in Rio de Janeiro, followed by a ...
- Colombia: Three dissidents dead and two police officers injured after bomb attack in Guapi, Cauca
November 2, 2024
A strong explosion in Guapi, Cauca, which was part of an attack by FARC dissidents against the police station, left three dissidents dead, two policemen injured and a part of the center of the municipality destroyed. According to the first versions of what happened, at approximately 5:10 a.m. several FARC dissidents harassed the police station in ...
- Bolivia: Armed group storms military post, seize weapons and ammunition
November 1, 2024
An armed group has taken control of a military post in central Bolivia, the country’s armed forces said on Friday. According to the Bolivian military’s statement, the “irregular armed group” kidnapped military personnel and seized weapons and ammunition from the base situated near the central Bolivian city of Cochabamba. The armed forces’ statement urged the group to ...
- From a supported country to a Global Leader in Mine Action: Cambodia’s Goal of a World Free of Landmines
October 25, 2024
Over the 20 years of the Vietnam War and the subsequent conflict, approximately 2.75 million tons of bombs were dropped on Cambodia, and an estimated 4 to 6 million landmines were buried. Following the 1991 Paris Peace Agreement, the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) was established by the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) to ...