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A Mysterious Mission… A U.S. Spy Plane Over Cartel Territory


Flight tracking data has revealed that a U.S. spy plane carried out a mysterious mission over the Gulf of California in Mexico this week.

The RC-135 Rivet Joint aircraft took off from Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska on Monday, headed south toward California, and then continued its course along the western coast of the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico.

It then moved north into the Gulf of California before returning to its base on Tuesday. Reports indicate that the aircraft remained in international airspace while flying near Mexico, without entering the southern end of the gulf, which falls under Mexican sovereignty. However, the area it flew over is under the influence of the Sinaloa Cartel, one of the largest and most dangerous drug trafficking organizations.

This flight comes at a time when U.S.-Mexico relations remain strained due to ongoing drug trafficking and illegal immigration into the U.S.

The mysterious flyover has sparked speculation about its objectives. Some believe it was an intelligence-gathering mission, while others suggest that the U.S. was sending a political message following President Donald Trump’s decision to delay 25% tariffs on Mexican imports for 30 days, giving Mexico time to strengthen its border control.

طائرة التجسس الأمريكية آر سي-135 يو كومبات سنت

According to an official who spoke to Air & Space Forces Magazine, the U.S. used this aircraft to conduct ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) operations to support military activities off Mexico’s coast.

Although the exact purpose of the flight remains undisclosed, The War Zone suggested that the aircraft was conducting electronic surveillance and signal interception in northwestern Mexico.

The U.S. Air Force states that “this aircraft gathers, analyzes, and transmits real-time intelligence.”

The aircraft’s interior accommodates over 30 personnel, including pilots, electronic warfare officers, intelligence analysts, and maintenance technicians.

Designed to detect and geolocate electronic signals, the aircraft provides immediate intelligence-gathering and analysis capabilities.

On January 22, the Pentagon announced that advanced reconnaissance aircraft like the RC-135 would be deployed to enhance intelligence collection near the U.S.-Mexico border.

However, the aircraft’s flight path over Sinaloa Cartel-controlled areas has deepened the mystery surrounding its mission.

The Sinaloa Cartel dominates the fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, and heroin trade into the United States.

In response, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum agreed to deploy 10,000 National Guard troops at the border to curb drug trafficking.

Meanwhile, the U.S. pledged to prevent arms smuggling into Mexico, according to Sheinbaum, who described her talks with Trump as “positive”.

While questions about the RC-135’s mission remain unanswered, neither the U.S. Northern Command nor the Mexican Embassy in Washington have issued official statements.

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