In a major escalation of U.S. military activity in Mexico, an RC-135V/W Rivet Joint reconnaissance aircraft has reportedly conducted a signals intelligence (SIGINT) operation over cartel-controlled territories in Baja California, Mexico. The move comes amid heightened tensions following the deployment of thousands of U.S. troops to the southern border and the announcement of a new U.S.-Mexico military cooperation against drug cartels.

Surveillance Flights Over Mexico – A First of Its Kind?

According to open-source intelligence (OSINT) tracking accounts, a U.S. Air Force RC-135V/W Rivet Joint aircraft from Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, flew within Mexican airspace, over the Gulf of California, Baja California Sur, Sonora, and Sinaloa—areas heavily dominated by the Tijuana Cartel and Sinaloa Cartel.

"Wow, for the first time I have ever seen, a U.S. Air Force RC-135V 'Rivet Joint' Signals Intelligence Platform is operating within Mexican Airspace," wrote OSINTdefender on X (formerly Twitter).

Another OSINT account, WarMonitor, confirmed: "American military RC-135V Rivet Joint surveillance plane has been taking a good look at cartel positions all over the western coast of Mexico today, including in Sinaloa."

Retired USAF Lt. Col. Rick Francona also weighed in, suggesting that this could be "one of the first concrete signs of new U.S. military activity within Mexico" under the new Trump-Sheinbaum cooperation agreement against the drug cartels.

Why Is the RC-135V/W in Mexico?

The RC-135V/W Rivet Joint is the U.S. military’s premier SIGINT aircraft, specializing in intercepting and analyzing enemy communications, encrypted signals, and electronic transmissions. Used primarily for strategic threat assessment and battlefield preparation, the aircraft’s presence over Mexico strongly suggests the U.S. is gathering intelligence on cartel networks, safe houses, smuggling routes, and key communications hubs.

This aligns with recent statements from President Trump, who has openly discussed designating Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs) and hinted at special operations forces (SOF) raids against cartel leaders. When asked whether he would send U.S. special forces into Mexico, Trump responded:

“Could happen. Stranger things have happened.”

Thousands of American citizens are held in foreign prisons, but only a small number are political hostages—used as bargaining chips by hostile regimes and terrorist organizations. According to the Foley Foundation, which tracks wrongful detentions, there are 46 American nationals currently unjustly imprisoned across 16 countries, with most held for over five years. The key to bringing them home lies in decisive leadership and a foreign policy that projects strength.

The Reality in Gaza

Recent hostage releases in Gaza highlight the stakes. Keith Siegel, a 65-year-old American-Israeli occupational therapist, was freed after 484 days in captivity. Hamas abducted him and his wife during the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. His wife was released earlier, but Keith remained in captivity for over a year. Meanwhile, several other American citizens remain missing or confirmed dead, including Adon Alexander (21) and Nam Sagui Deen (35). Reports indicate at least seven American hostages have died in Hamas custody, further emphasizing the urgency of strong leadership.

Trump’s Diplomacy in Action: Venezuela Hostage Release

President Trump’s no-nonsense approach to hostage situations has already yielded results. His envoy was recently sent to Venezuela to secure the release of six American hostages held by the Maduro regime. These individuals had been detained under the Biden administration with little progress toward their release. However, Trump’s firm stance and direct diplomatic intervention led to a breakthrough, once again proving that adversaries only respond to strength.

Speaking the Only Language Hostile Actors Understand

History has shown that hostile governments and terrorist groups only respect force, not diplomacy filled with empty promises. A story from Iraq illustrates this well: when U.S. Army Rangers faced resistance in a hostile city, their commander warned the locals that any attack would be met with overwhelming force. The first time they were fired upon, they leveled the area, sending a clear message. From that point on, the Rangers patrolled without incident.

This is the exact approach America must take regarding hostage situations. The U.S. government should immediately and aggressively respond whenever an American is taken.

The Path Forward: Strength, Not Weakness

President Trump’s recent actions in Venezuela send a powerful message—hostage-taking will not be tolerated. This kind of deterrence is the only way to protect American citizens abroad. The U.S. must adopt an ironclad stance:

• Immediate retaliation for wrongful detentions
• Strong diplomatic pressure backed by military might
• No appeasement, only action

Trump’s decisive moves contrast sharply with the Biden administration’s passive approach, which left many American hostages forgotten. The world’s bad actors are taking notice—when America speaks with strength and conviction, hostages come home.

The lesson is clear: if America wants to prevent future hostage crises, it must ensure that taking an American is a costly mistake for any regime or terrorist group.

The U.S. military, in coordination with Somali forces, just took out some key ISIS figures in Somalia’s Puntland region. If you haven’t been following the situation, here’s a quick breakdown of what happened and why it matters.

What Went Down?

Over the weekend, U.S. airstrikes hit ISIS positions in the Golis Mountains of northern Somalia. The Puntland government confirmed that these strikes "neutralized" senior ISIS leaders. While the details are still scarce, what we do know is that these operations are part of a broader campaign that Puntland’s security forces have been waging against ISIS since December.

U.S. President Donald Trump even chimed in on Truth Social, saying he personally ordered the strikes. Meanwhile, the Somali government in Mogadishu called the operation a joint effort with Washington, reinforcing their ongoing security partnership.

Why Does This Matter?

ISIS in Somalia is relatively small compared to the dominant Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab, but its presence has been growing, especially in Puntland. The group is believed to be under the control of Abdul Qadir Mumin, a Puntland native and one of the highest-ranking ISIS leaders still standing.

Mumin has dodged multiple U.S. airstrikes over the years, which, according to experts, gives him significant credibility within ISIS’s global network. Taking him or his top lieutenants out would be a major win for counterterrorism efforts in the region.

U.S. Involvement: A Game Changer?

The Puntland government was quick to call U.S. support “invaluable” in their fight against terrorism. Airstrikes like these not only take out key ISIS figures but also send a clear message that terrorist networks won’t be allowed to carve out safe havens.

For Somalia, it’s another step in securing its territory, especially in Puntland, which has been working hard to push extremists out of the Golis Mountains. And for the U.S., it reinforces Washington’s long-standing commitment to counterterrorism operations in Africa.

What’s Next?

While the airstrikes were successful, the fight against ISIS in Somalia isn’t over. The group still has operatives in the region, and as history has shown, eliminating leadership doesn’t always mean the end of a terrorist organization.

But one thing is clear: Puntland and its U.S. partners are ramping up their offensive, and ISIS’s days in Somalia may be numbered.

Stay tuned as more details come out.