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On Tuesday night, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) surprised travelers, local authorities, and airlines by ordering the immediate closure of the airspace around El Paso International Airport in Texas.
The decision, described as a “temporary flight restriction for special security reasons”, anticipated a suspension of air activities for 10 days, until February 20.
However, just six hours later, the same FAA reversed the announcement.
The airspace was reopened on Wednesday morning, without a clear explanation for the sudden cancellation of the measure or the exact reasons that caused it.
Cartel Drones: The Threat That Triggered the Shutdown
Although the FAA avoided giving details about the reasons for the closure, the Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, provided a key piece of information.
In a post on the social network X, Duffy stated that both the FAA and the Department of Defense "acted quickly to address a cartel drone incursion", he wrote.
"The threat has been neutralized and there is no danger for commercial travel in the region,” he added.
The Secretary of Transportation did not provide further details on how many drones were detected or how they were neutralized, but he did confirm that air traffic would resume normally.
The direct reference to drones operated by Mexican cartels elevates the episode to a cross-border and national security dimension, with implications for both airspace control and the influence of criminal organizations beyond Mexican territory.
The confusion affected not only the passengers. Legislators, local authorities, and even the airport staff learned about the closure with little notice.
Despite the reopening of the airspace and the apparent return to normality, the episode has left many questions unanswered.
What type of drones were detected? What was their purpose? What kind of weaponry or capabilities did they have? Which Mexican cartel was involved?
U.S. authorities have not provided technical or investigative details to help assess the severity of the incursion.
The direct mention of drones operated by Mexican criminal organizations signifies an escalation in the tactics used by cartels and their ability to intrude into U.S. territory.
It also poses operational challenges for air traffic control agencies, defense, and border security.
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