Joint Interagency Task Force-Counter Cartel

Joint Interagency Task Force-Counter Cartel
Active	January 2026–Present
Country	United States
Part of	United States Northern Command [1]
Headquarters	Davis-Monthan AFB
Participating Agencies	Department of Defense Department of Homeland Security Department of Justice Intelligence Community
Engagements	War on drugs Mexican drug war 2026 Jalisco operation
Commanders
Current commander	Brigadier General Maurizio Calabrese, USAF

The Joint Interagency Task Force-Counter Cartel (JIATF-CC) is a United States-led task force. The organization was created in January 2026 with the stated goal of countering Mexican cartels. ^{[2] [3]}

The group is commanded by a brigadier general and is based at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona. It is a component of the United States Northern Command. Little is known about the task force, which maintains minimal public presence. However, it is known to incorporate components from the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice, and various agencies in the Intelligence Community. ^[4] Among the group's many tasks, it advises and facilitates intelligence-sharing with the government of Mexico in support of counter-cartel operations.

As of 2026, its current commander is Brigadier General Maurizio Calabrese. ^[5]

History

The JIATF-CC provided information to the Federal government of Mexico prior to the 2026 Jalisco operation. ^[6] The operation ultimately led to the death of Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader El Mencho.

References

1. "Joint Interagency Task Force-Counter Cartel (JIATF-CC) established". United States Northern Command. 16 January 2026.
2. "Joint Interagency Task Force-Counter Cartel (JIATF-CC) established".
3. Jeyaretnam, Miranda (23 February 2026). "What to Know About the Operation to Kill Mexican Drug Lord 'El Mencho'". TIME. Retrieved 23 February 2026.
4. "Exclusive: New US military-led group aided Mexico's hunt for 'El Mencho' cartel boss". Reuters.
5. "Arizona's new task force targets cartel threats along the border". KVOA. 16 January 2026. Retrieved 27 February 2026.
6. "US military-led group aided Mexico's hunt for 'El Mencho'". The Jerusalem Post . 23 February 2026. ISSN   0792-822X . Retrieved 23 February 2026.