US Confirms Mexican Drug Cartel Drones Breached Airspace, Triggering Temporary Closure at El Paso Airport

EL PASO, Texas — A sudden and unprecedented closure of the airspace over El Paso International Airport on Wednesday was triggered by an incursion of drones operated by Mexican drug cartels, US officials have confirmed. The breach prompted the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to issue an emergency "national defense airspace" warning, grounding flights and causing confusion across the region before the restriction was abruptly lifted hours later.

The Incident: Cartel Drones in US Skies

Early Wednesday, February 11, 2026, the FAA issued a startling Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM), effectively shutting down the airspace over El Paso, Texas, and parts of southern New Mexico. The order, which cited "special security reasons," halted all commercial, cargo, and general aviation flights in the area.

Hours after the chaos began, the Trump administration clarified the cause of the disruption. A senior US official confirmed to major news outlets that Mexican drug cartel drones had breached US airspace near the border.

"Mexican cartel drones breached US airspace," the official stated. In response, the US military, specifically the Department of War, took immediate action to intercept and disable the unmanned aerial vehicles. The specific type of drones and the exact method of neutralization—whether electronic warfare or kinetic interception—have not yet been publicly detailed.

Chaos at the Airport: An "Unprecedented" Shutdown

The initial FAA order was severe, announcing that the airspace would remain closed for 10 days, until February 21. This move stranded passengers and grounded aircraft from major carriers like Southwest Airlines and American Airlines. The El Paso International Airport, which sits adjacent to the US military’s Biggs Army Airfield, is a critical hub for the region, handling thousands of passengers daily.

Local officials expressed frustration over the lack of communication. Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (D-Texas) issued a statement calling the decision "unprecedented" and noting that neither her office nor city officials were given advance notice.

"The highly consequential decision by the FAA to shut down the El Paso Airport for 10 days resulted in significant concern in the community," Escobar stated. "From what my office and I have been able to gather... there is no immediate threat to the community."

Swift Resolution and Resumption of Flights

Despite the initial 10-day warning, the situation was resolved rapidly. By mid-morning Wednesday, the FAA and the Department of War determined that the threat had been neutralized and that commercial travel could safely resume.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy took to social media to confirm the resolution. "The FAA and the Department of War acted swiftly to address a cartel drone incursion," Duffy wrote. "The threat has been neutralized and there is no danger to commercial travel in the region."

Following this assessment, the FAA lifted the flight restrictions, allowing airport operations to return to normal.

Increasing Tensions on the Border

This incident highlights the growing technological dimension of border security and the escalating tensions regarding cartel operations. The use of drones by cartels for surveillance and smuggling has been a known issue, but a breach requiring the shutdown of a major US international airport marks a significant escalation.

The incident also points to potential coordination challenges between civil aviation authorities and military operations. Reports suggest that the sudden closure may have been exacerbated by an "impasse" or lack of immediate data sharing between the Pentagon’s counter-drone operations and the FAA, forcing the aviation agency to clear the skies as a precaution.

As of Wednesday afternoon, El Paso International Airport has resumed full operations, though travelers are advised to check with their airlines for lingering delays caused by the morning's grounding.