Mexican cartels expand use of car bombs and improvised explosives

The short version

• Mexican drug cartels are increasingly utilizing car bombs, weaponized drones, and improvised explosives to defend territory and pressure authorities.
• A recent detonation of 200 kilograms of explosives outside a police station in Ojocaliente, Zacatecas, injured 11 people and damaged dozens of homes.
• The trend complicates bilateral relations as the U.S. administration designates major cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, while Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum defends her security strategy citing national homicide declines.

Key facts

• A Sunday explosion involving 200 kilograms of explosives outside an Ojocaliente police station injured 11 people and damaged over 60 homes, according to Mexico's security chief Omar García Harfuch.[ABC News · Associated Press]
• Zacatecas state Attorney General Cristian Paul Camacho reported 23 explosive attacks in the state in 2026, including six involving vehicles packed with explosives.[ABC News · Associated Press]
• Authorities have attributed recent urban bombings in Michoacán and Zacatecas to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).[ABC News · Associated Press]
• The Trump administration has designated eight Mexican cartels, including the CJNG, as foreign terrorist organizations and suggested potential military action.[ABC News · Associated Press]
• Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum defended the administration's security policy, stating that nationwide reductions in killings demonstrate its effectiveness.[ABC News · Associated Press]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• Why Mexican cartels are increasingly using car bombs and other explosivesABC News - International
• Why Mexican cartels are increasingly using car bombs and other explosivesAssociated Press