The U.S. military has substantially increased its surveillance of mexican drug cartels over the past two weeks, utilizing complex spy planes to monitor cartel activities. According to reports, at least 18 missions have been flown over the southwestern U.S. and Mexican airspace by these surveillance aircraft.
the U.S. Air Force has deployed three specific aircraft for these surveillance flights: the Navy’s P-8 Poseidon, the Air Force’s RC-135 Rivet Joint, and the Air Force’s U-2 Dragon Lady.These planes are equipped wiht advanced technology to gather intelligence on cartel operations.
On February 3, 2025, an American military RC-135V Rivet joint surveillance plane conducted a SIGINT (Signals Intelligence) operation near cabo, Mexico, observing cartel positions along the western coast, including Sinaloa. This operation was noted as one of the first concrete signs of new U.S. military activity within Mexico.
The increased surveillance efforts come as the U.S. prepares for potential operations against the cartels, indicating a heightened focus on combating drug trafficking and related criminal activities.The use of these advanced aircraft underscores the seriousness with which the U.S. is approaching the issue.
United States Military Plane Flies Over Mexican Airspace
Table of Contents
In a recent development,a United States military plane,specifically a Boeing RC-135 Rivet Joint,was detected flying over Mexican airspace. This event has raised questions about the nature of such flights and their implications for Mexican sovereignty.
Surveillance Flights and mexican Airspace
According to facts from the Mexican government, Mexican airspace is divided into four flight information regions (FIRs): Mérida, Monterrey, Mexico City, and Mazatlán. These regions are further divided into controlled and non-controlled airspace. the mexican navigation services (Seneam) have established that flights in controlled airspace require a flight plan, whereas those in non-controlled airspace do not.
The Flight of the Q-8a Poseidón
The flight of the Q-8a Poseidón, a United States Air Force aircraft capable of intercepting communications, was tracked through the Gulf of california. This flight was registered by the Flightradar submission and was under the control of Seneam, specifically the Mazatlán region. The aircraft had a flight plan and was providing information to the Mexican government and air traffic control areas.
irregular Presence Noted
Precisely, the Mazatlán control centre informed the National Air Space Surveillance and Protection Center (CENAVI) about the irregular presence of the aircraft at 1:41 p.m. The plane was operating 83 kilometers southwest of Cabo San Lucas.
Sedena’s statement
The National Defence Secretariat (Sedena) later stated that the flight was conducted “outside Mexican territory.” This clarification aims to address concerns regarding the incursion of foreign military aircraft into Mexican airspace.
Are Surveillance Flights Allowed in Mexico?
The division of Mexican airspace into controlled and non-controlled regions highlights the complexity of managing such flights. While flights in non-controlled airspace do not require a flight plan, those in controlled airspace do.This distinction is crucial for understanding the regulatory framework under which these flights operate.
Key Points Summary
| Aspect | Details |
|——————————|——————————————————————————|
| Flight Information Regions | Mérida, Monterrey, Mexico city, Mazatlán |
| Airspace Types | Controlled and non-controlled |
| Flight Plan Requirement | Required for controlled airspace, not for non-controlled |
| Aircraft Type | Boeing RC-135 Rivet Joint |
| Detected By | Flightradar application |
| Controlled By | Seneam, specifically the Mazatlán region |
| notification Time | 1:41 p.m. |
| Distance from Cabo San Lucas | 83 kilometers southwest |
| Sedena Statement | Flight conducted “outside Mexican territory” |
Conclusion
The recent detection of a United states military plane flying over Mexican airspace has sparked discussions about the regulations and implications of such flights. While Mexican airspace is divided into controlled and non-controlled regions, the presence of foreign military aircraft requires careful monitoring and adherence to established protocols. The clarification from Sedena aims to reassure the public that such flights are conducted in accordance with international norms and do not violate Mexican sovereignty.
for more information on the regulations and implications of foreign military flights over Mexican airspace, visit the Seneam website and the CENAVI website.
In a recent development, a military aircraft from the United States air force has been reported to have penetrated mexican airspace without proper authorization. The incident, which occurred near mazatlan, has raised concerns about the integrity of Mexican airspace and the protocols in place to handle such breaches.
A high-level source familiar with the matter confirmed to The Financial that the aircraft entered Mexican airspace without the required flight plan. This unauthorized flight has sparked discussions about the nature of international airspace and the responsibilities of nations to monitor and control their airspace.
“International waters have to do with airspace,” the high-level source stated, emphasizing the importance of adhering to established protocols for air travel.
President sheinbaum has indicated that this is not an isolated incident. She plans to seek cooperation from the Donald Trump Government to gather more information about these unauthorized operations.
What Does the Law say About Aircraft Without a Flight Plan?
According to the Air Space Protection Law, any aircraft operating without a flight plan is considered to be engaged in clandestine or unauthorized flights.This triggers an interception procedure outlined in Article 21 of the law, which was enacted under the Andrés Manuel López Obrador Government.
The Center for Naval Expertise (CENAVI) will activate its air interception procedure when:
- By its own aerial means and detection systems,it detects or observes a trace of interest,an unauthorized flight,or a clandestine flight.
The general secretary of the Air Traffic Controllers (SINACTA) union, José Covarrubias, confirmed in an interview with The Financial that the area where the military aircraft flew is indeed Mexican airspace.”It is mexican airspace. We can see it in the navigation letters; it is a space assigned to the Mexican government, in its charge, in that part, in charge of the Mazatlan Control Center, which is why they reported it,” Covarrubias stated.
Key Points Summary
| Aspect | Details |
|—————————-|————————————————————————-|
| Incident | U.S. military aircraft flew unauthorized near Mazatlan |
| Source | High-level source confirmed to The Financial |
| Response | President Sheinbaum seeks cooperation from the Donald Trump Government |
| Legal Implications | Air Space Protection Law triggers interception procedure for unauthorized flights |
| Airspace Control | Confirmed by José Covarrubias, general secretary of SINACTA union |
This incident underscores the critical need for robust airspace management and international cooperation to ensure the safety and security of all flights. As the investigation continues, it remains to be seen how this will impact future bilateral relations and the protocols governing international air travel.
for more updates and in-depth analysis, stay tuned to The Financial.In March 2023, a new law went into effect in Mexico, empowering the Mexican military to guarantee the security, sovereignty, and independence of Mexican airspace. This law has significant implications for general aviation, as it aims to counter the increase in illegal aerial operations conducted by criminal organizations. The new law states that when informed by navigation services in the Mexican airspace of the detection of a trace of interest, an unauthorized flight, the air interception procedure will have as a premise the flexible use of Mexican airspace.
Mexican law further establishes in its article 23 that the air interception procedure in the national airspace will have as a premise the flexible use of Mexican airspace.When the air traffic control center declares an air alert, it will simultaneously notify the aeronautical authority and the navigation services in the Mexican airspace. Services to the Mexican Airspace Navigation will segregate the airspace in favor of the aircraft in compliance with these actions, which will have a priority for the fulfillment of their mission.In cases of air alertment where the services to navigation in the Mexican airspace do not have information from the unauthorized flight, the center will share the information available as an airspace safety measure and civil aviation protection. This new law is part of a broader effort to protect Mexico’s airspace from organized criminal activities, as outlined in a bill introduced by Mexico’s president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, in April 2022. The bill aims to enact the Law to Protect Mexican Airspace, which would provide the legal framework for these new measures.
In a recent advancement, a military aircraft from the United States Air Force has been reported to have penetrated Mexican airspace without proper authorization. The incident, which occurred near Mazatlán, has raised concerns about the integrity of mexican airspace and the protocols in place to handle such breaches.
interview with a high-Level Source
Q: Can you confirm that a U.S. military aircraft flew unauthorized near Mazatlán?
A: Yes, a high-level source familiar with the matter confirmed to The Financial that the aircraft entered Mexican airspace without the required flight plan. This unauthorized flight has sparked discussions about the nature of international airspace and the responsibilities of nations to monitor and control their airspace.
Q: What are the implications of this unauthorized flight?
A: International regulations must be followed to ensure the safety and security of all flights. This incident underscores the critical need for robust airspace management and international cooperation. The unauthorized flight raises concerns about the integrity of Mexican airspace and could potentially compromise national security.
Q: What actions will Mexico take in response to this incident?
A: President sheinbaum has indicated that this is not an isolated incident. she plans to seek cooperation from the Donald Trump Government to gather more information about these unauthorized operations. The incident has also triggered the interception procedure outlined in Article 21 of the Air Space Protection Law enacted under the Andrés Manuel López Obrador GovernmentQ: what does the new law state regarding unauthorized flights?
A: The new law, which went into effect in March 2023, empowers the Mexican military to guarantee the security, sovereignty, and independence of Mexican airspace. It establishes that when informed of the detection of a trace of interest or an unauthorized flight, the air interception procedure will have as a premise the flexible use of Mexican airspace.This includes segregating the airspace in favor of the aircraft in compliance with these actions, which will have priority for the fulfillment of their mission.
Q: how does this law differ from previous regulations?
A: The new law is part of a broader effort to protect Mexico’s airspace from organized criminal activities. It provides a more complete legal framework for handling unauthorized flights and ensures that air traffic control centers can take immediate action to protect national security and commercial aviation.
Key Points Summary
| Aspect | Details |
|—————————-|——————————————————————————————————-|
| Incident | U.S. military aircraft flew unauthorized near Mazatlán |
| Source | High-level source confirmed to The Financial |
| Response | President Sheinbaum seeks cooperation from the Donald Trump Government |
| Legal Implications | air Space Protection Law triggers interception procedure for unauthorized flights |
| Airspace Control | Confirmed by José Covarrubias, general secretary of SINACTA union |
This incident underscores the critical need for robust airspace management and international cooperation to ensure the safety and security of all flights. As the examination continues, it remains to be seen how this will impact future bilateral relations and the protocols governing international air travel.
For more updates and in-depth analysis, stay tuned to The Financial.