These heavily armed vehicles are used in pitched gun battles between cartels and the police or rival groups. They are known as "monstruos," "rinocerontes," or "narcotanques." The cartels aim to demonstrate their dominance and intimidate their adversaries.

The evolution of these armoured trucks reflects the escalating violence in Mexico 's drug wars and the cartels' ability to outmanoeuvre authorities. These vehicles and other advanced weaponry like rocket launchers and sniper rifles indicate the cartels' growing sophistication and emulation of special forces tactics.

The armoured trucks have emerged in the past decade, with the involvement of former elite soldiers in cartels' ranks. Seizures of these trucks reveal regions where cartel activities are prevalent. Despite the crime of unauthorized vehicle armouring, the production of these trucks remains robust.