02-09-2025
Mexican cartels use Israeli - made rifles and pistols and receive training from instructors with ties to that country, according to security reports and international organizations. The presence of foreign mercenaries and high-powered weapons strengthens the military capabilities of organizations such as the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and the Sinaloa Cartel .
Between 2006 and 2018, Israel Weapons Industries sold 23,772 weapons to the Mexican government for a value of €34 million. Global Exchange reported that 16,000 Galil and Tavor rifles, used by the Israel Defense Forces, were delivered to local corporations. Part of this arsenal ended up in the hands of organized crime in parts of Mexico. The study "Deadly Exchange: How European and Israeli Arms Exports Are Accelerating Violence in Mexico" states: "Beyond the use of these weapons by the police, many of them have ended up in the hands of cartels."
In 2019, the then Specialized Subprosecutor's Office for the Investigation of Organized Crime tracked operations by former Mossad agents related to the introduction and sale of weapons in Mexico . Authorities also documented the Israeli mafia 's money laundering activities and its participation in Los Zetas training camps alongside members of ETA and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) .
A video released in June 2025 by the mayor of Uruapan , Carlos Manzo , showed seven members of the CJNG training at a clandestine camp in the Purépecha Plateau . The images show the armed men following tactical instructions and basic rules for handling weapons. The mayor himself explained that the material was found on a cell phone abandoned during a rescue operation.
This material coincided with statements by security specialist David Saucedo , who stated: "Years ago, the presence of an Israeli army explosives expert hired by a Mexican criminal group was even detected." Saucedo added that the instructors teach urban combat, ambushes, and advanced explosives handling techniques.
Mountainous areas of Guanajuato , Veracruz , and Jalisco have been identified as clandestine training sites, where foreign instructors strengthen paramilitary structures. Reports suggest that the precision of recent attacks reflects the intervention of personnel with experience in international conflicts.
Intensified operations by the Mexican armed forces have led criminal groups to incorporate drones, armored personnel carriers, and high-caliber weapons, in addition to specialized training provided by foreign mercenaries. This strategy demonstrates an escalation of confrontation that increases risks for communities in disputed regions.
The combination of Israeli weapons and international training is becoming part of a complex scenario for the cartels . Intelligence reports, international studies, and testimony from local authorities all agree that Mexican criminal organizations possess advanced military resources , including knowledge passed down by former foreign military personnel and rifles from one of the world's most renowned military industries.
