Part 10/14:
The cartels' transformation into militarized entities with technological edge, international alliances, and deep-rooted political corruption has shifted the battlefield from rural hideouts to urban centers and cyber domains. The arrest or death of cartel leaders merely cements their ability to operate through proxies and decentralized networks.
The U.S. and regional partners face mounting challenges—such as the proliferation of autonomous underwater vehicles for covert drug shipment, encrypted communication channels, and a highly adaptable enemy willing to adapt tactics rapidly.