When searching for animals to aid their operations, most militaries and national guards opt for German Shepherds and other large pooches.

But Mexico’s National Guard have chosen an 8-inch-tall, 15-pound kitted-out Chihuahua named Comando.

The small dog was adopted around six months ago while still a puppy after his elderly owners were unable to continue caring for him.

Now, Comando is training to assist with search-and-rescue work while also serving as an unofficial mascot for the National Guard.

He has his own fitted vest, miniature goggles and a head-mounted camera to assist in his very important work.

He’s also shown bravery already – during a training session, Comando jumped into action and passed an obstacle course while a fully trained larger dog sat frozen.

Lieutenant Debora Hernandez said that Comando is reminding many that ‘beneath the ​uniform, we are human beings.’

Though his role (and size) is small, his service is sure to aid the National Guard as it continues to fight against organised crime in the country.

Cartels are dotted across Mexico, and have been fighting turf wars and for control of drug supply from Sinaloa to the Gulf for decades.

Earlier this year, an influx of violence across Mexico after the death of drug lord ‘El Mencho’ brought cartels back into the global spotlight.

Forced disappearances, murders in broad daylight and mass graves have become common as the cartels fight to defend their ‘turf’ and protect drug supplies.

Mexico’s drug war began as a civil war inside the cartels, triggered by the 1989 arrest of ‘the Godfather’, Miguel Ángel Félix Gallardo, for the torture and murder of an American agent.

Current Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, like her predecessor, has criticised the ‘kingpin’ strategy of previous administrations that took out cartel leaders only to trigger explosions of violence as cartels fractured.

While she has remained popular in Mexico, security is a persistent concern, and she has been under tremendous pressure to show results against drug trafficking.

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