Countering the Criminal Drone Threat in the Americas

The adoption of Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UASs) by nonstate armed groups throughout the Americas poses new challenges for security and stabilization efforts in the Americas. In countries like Mexico, Colombia, and increasingly Brazil and Ecuador, criminals are employing drones to gather intelligence, smuggle contraband, and strike at rivals, civilians, and state forces alike. While important steps have been taken to counteract these criminal drones, the region as a whole remains on the back foot, in need of additional countermeasures as well as updated doctrine to fight back against the rising UAS tide. 

This event will focus on the nature of the criminal drone challenge, the groups at the forefront of UAS deployment in the Western Hemisphere, and what the United States, along with its allies in the region can do to push back.

This event is made possible through general support to the Americas Program.