The US Federal Aviation Administration reopened the airspace at El Paso International Airport after a 10-day temporary closure announced for security reasons. US officials initially attributed the measure to Mexican cartel drones, but reports indicate it was a communication failure between federal agencies. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum denied having information on cartel drones at the border.
On Tuesday, February 10, 2026, the FAA announced the closure of airspace at El Paso International Airport, Texas, from 11:30 p.m. until February 20 at the same time, citing 'special security reasons.' The restriction affected a 16-kilometer radius around the city, including the community of Santa Teresa in New Mexico, but did not impact flights above 5,500 meters altitude. The airport, serving west Texas and east New Mexico and recording 3.5 million passengers through November 2025, noted the order was issued with little advance notice.
Initially, Sean Duffy, Secretary of Transportation, attributed the closure to 'a cartel incursion with drones,' stating the threat was neutralized and posed no risk to commercial flights. Attorney General Pam Bondi backed this version during a congressional appearance, commenting: 'Cartel drones are being caught by our Army, that's what we should all care about right now: protecting the United States.'
However, sources cited by AP contradict this narrative, indicating the closure stemmed from Pentagon plans to test an anti-drone laser against those used by Mexican cartels, causing friction with the FAA over commercial air safety concerns. A coordination meeting was scheduled for late this month, but the Pentagon proceeded, leading to the closure. In a recent incident, technology downed what appeared to be foreign drones, but it was a party balloon. During Bondi's hearing, it was clarified there was no relation to Mexican cartel drones, but a communication failure between the FAA and Pentagon; Bondi did not refute this. Duffy did not remove his post or issue corrections.
In Mexico, President Claudia Sheinbaum responded in her February 11 conference: 'There is no information on the use of cartel drones at the border.' She urged against speculation and offered ongoing communication with the US if they have data. In context, a May 2025 CBP report indicated cartels use drones to surveil border patrols, detecting up to 155,000 flights. Gloria I. Chávez, Border Patrol chief for the Rio Grande Valley sector, explained: 'many times we see (the drones) recording our operations to manage their illicit narcotics and people work.'
The FAA confirmed the reopening on February 11: 'The temporary airspace closure over El Paso has been lifted. There is no threat to commercial aviation. All flights will resume normally.'
