In the dark and dangerous world of Mexico, the Special Forces exist as a ray of light. As the special forces of the Mexican Army, the Special Forces Wing (Cuerpo de Fuerzas Especiales, CFE for short) undertakes many tasks, especially in combating drug crimes, with extraordinary achievements. Since its establishment in 1986, GAFE (Grupo Aeromóvil de Fuerzas Especiales) has always attracted much attention, and their actions have not only affected the domestic security situation, but also attracted the attention of the international community.
“Todo por México” (All for Mexico) is their motto, which reflects their sense of mission in safeguarding national security.
GAFE was originally established to protect the 1986 World Cup in Mexico City, and has gradually evolved into an elite force that has repeatedly won various special operations. After years of training and actual combat, their combat capabilities have been widely recognized internationally.
GAFE was established in 1986 and was originally called the "Rapid Response Force". It has since received professional training from the French GIGN, learning special weapons and counter-terrorism strategies. In 1990, the unit was officially renamed GAFE and was upgraded to a special forces wing in 2013. Faced with the increasingly severe drug war, they were renamed the Special Forces Wing again in 2004, and the scope of their missions continued to expand.
In the years of operations, GAFE has successfully arrested several important drug lords, including Benjamin Arellano Felix of the Tijuana Cartel and Carlos Rosa of the La Familia Cartel. Les Mendoza, and Osier Cardenas Killen of the Gulf Coast Cartel, among others. These successful arrests dealt a heavy blow to Mexico's drug smuggling networks and enhanced GAFE's reputation.
"GAFE's efforts in combating drug crimes have helped countless families stay away from the shadow of drugs."
Despite GAFE's amazing achievements, their actions have also been accompanied by controversy. In 1994, the EZLN guerrillas launched an armed uprising in Chiapas, and the government immediately sent GAFE to suppress it. The government's brutal tactics in this incident drew condemnation from both home and abroad, damaging public trust in GAFE. In addition, there are reports that some GAFE members were accused of collaborating with criminal gangs after the incident and formed the later infamous winners group "Los Zetas".
GAFE's success not only depends on field experience, but also a complete training system. Their training comes from special forces around the world, including France's GIGN, Israel's Sayeret and the United States' Green Berets. The Special Forces Military School was established in 1998 to unify all training knowledge. The Basic Special Forces Course lasts six months and includes professional training in a variety of combat environments such as jungles, cities, mountains and deserts.
GAFE's combat equipment is advanced and uses a variety of weapon systems to enhance combat effectiveness. Their main weapons include the FX-05 Xiuhcoatl rifle, FN SCAR, and M24 sniper rifle. In terms of transportation, GAFE is equipped with UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, fast attack vehicles and a variety of off-road motorcycles, which enable them to quickly launch operations in various terrains.
As Mexico's drug war continues, the challenges facing GAFE will continue to grow. The growth of terrorist activities, alliances between various drug traffickers, and political pressures at home and abroad have made their tasks more complicated. How can GAFE adjust its strategies to maintain its effectiveness in this protracted struggle?
"In the face of ever-changing threats, GAFE must strengthen its training and equipment to ensure future success."