WSJ reported on the development of defense startups due to Trump's fight against drug trafficking

US President Donald Trump's fight against drug trafficking from Latin America has opened up major opportunities for defense startups that have adapted military technologies to the tasks of anti-drug operations. This was reported on November 29 by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ).

"They (defense startups. — Ed.) have reoriented their drones, sensors, artificial intelligence tools and data processing platforms into specialized tools for Trump's fight against "drug terrorism," the article says.

As the U.S. campaign in the Caribbean and on the southern border intensifies, demand for drones, sensors, and artificial intelligence (AI) is growing rapidly, the authors note.

For example, Shield AI drones were used in the record seizure of 60,000 pounds of cocaine, and using their V-BAT model, according to the Coast Guard, "drugs worth more than $1 billion were seized."

The Southern Command notes an increase in demand for "testing grounds for robotic and unmanned systems." The army is purchasing new drone suppression systems, including the Ukrainian development of Moodro.

Supplies accepted: The war on cartels has failed to reduce drug trafficking in the United States

​​​​​​​In continuation of Trump's campaign against illegal substances, the Pentagon announced the launch of Operation Southern Spear

On November 17, Trump said he considered it acceptable to potentially launch strikes against Mexico if it would affect the cessation of drug trafficking from Latin American countries to the United States. The American leader clarified that "big problems" are currently being observed in Mexico City.

Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth announced on November 13 that Trump had ordered the launch of Operation Southern Spear against drug terrorists in the Western Hemisphere. He noted that the purpose of this mission is to protect the United States from drug terrorists and prohibited substances.

The Brazilian portal UOL announced the next day that Latin American states are considering the possibility of preparing a joint declaration condemning the US aggression against Venezuela. Brazil, Colombia and Mexico participated in the drafting of the potential application.

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