Party balloon or cartel drones? Closure of El Paso airspace causes 'chaos'

February 12, 2026

The US federal government abruptly closed airspace over El Paso, Texas for what was initially announced as 10 days, triggering widespread panic in the border city before lifting the restriction within hours. According to CBS News, the closure resulted from the Pentagon testing high-energy laser technology intended to shoot down cartel drones, but the test reportedly targeted a party balloon instead of an actual drone threat. The military proceeded with testing before completing scheduled safety meetings with the FAA, forcing the aviation regulator to halt flights without advance warning to local officials or residents.

Who is affected

Residents of El Paso, Texas and surrounding areas
El Paso Mayor Renard Johnson and city council members
Airline passengers with flights to/from El Paso International Airport
Medical evacuation flight patients who were diverted
Surgical equipment recipients whose deliveries were delayed
Airport and air traffic control staff
United Airlines and other airline operators
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and the Mexican government
Border Patrol agents operating in the area
Migrants attempting to cross the border

What action is being taken

The Pentagon is testing new military technology (high-energy lasers) to practice taking down drones near a military base next to El Paso airport. Cartels are using drones to monitor Border Patrol agent positions and relay information to migrants to direct them across the border for human smuggling operations.

Why it matters

This incident demonstrates significant coordination failures between federal defense and aviation safety agencies that can cause mass disruption and public panic in major US cities. The airspace closure represents the most severe flight restrictions El Paso has experienced since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, which historically led to major military conflicts. The situation highlights escalating concerns about cartel drone surveillance operations along the US-Mexico border and reveals potential tensions between military security priorities and civilian safety protocols. The lack of communication with local officials and residents, combined with the abrupt nature of the closure, eroded public trust and created unnecessary chaos in a border community already dealing with complex cross-border security challenges.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC