FAA Closes El Paso Airspace to Neutralize Cartel Drone Threats After Years of Inaction
EL PASO, Texas — On February 11, 2026, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) took the unprecedented step of closing airspace over El Paso in response to an incursion of drones operated by Mexican drug cartels. This decisive action followed years of bureaucratic paralysis that had prevented effective countermeasures against rogue drones violating U.S. airspace.
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford authorized the closure to enable the Department of War to neutralize the aerial threats safely. The cartel drones, some reportedly as large as 20 feet across, had increasingly tested U.S. defenses, flying over critical infrastructure and border areas. The Department of War’s successful intervention marked a significant shift from the FAA’s longstanding reluctance to authorize kinetic or electronic countermeasures due to concerns about endangering civilian or commercial aircraft.
For years, the FAA’s risk-averse stance hindered efforts to address drone incursions. Notably, in late 2023, unidentified drones swarmed over Langley Air Force Base in Virginia for 17 consecutive nights, flying near the headquarters of Air Combat Command and the world’s largest naval station in Norfolk. Despite briefings to the Biden-Harris White House, no action was taken at the time, as suggestions to jam signals, deploy directed energy weapons, or shoot down drones were rejected as too risky or unauthorized.
Experts and officials have long warned that the growing use of drones by cartels poses a serious threat to national security and border safety. The FAA’s recent action in El Paso, which allowed military forces to disable the drones, is seen as a welcome and long-overdue response to these challenges. The incident echoes calls made last summer by former President Donald Trump for more aggressive military action against drug cartels operating along the border.
The Department of War’s intervention was coordinated with the FAA and other federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The collaboration underscores a growing recognition of the need for integrated responses to emerging aerial threats.
As drone technology becomes more accessible and sophisticated, federal agencies are under increasing pressure to develop effective countermeasures while balancing safety concerns. The FAA’s decision to close the El Paso airspace, though disruptive, allowed for a controlled environment to address the immediate threat without risking civilian aviation safety.
Officials have not disclosed the exact number of drones neutralized or the specific tactics employed by the Department of War, citing operational security. However, the incident has renewed calls for updated policies and enhanced capabilities to detect and counter unauthorized drone activity along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection indicates a steady increase in drone-related smuggling attempts in recent years, complicating efforts to secure the border. The El Paso event may serve as a catalyst for broader reforms in how federal agencies manage airspace security and respond to nontraditional threats.
As the FAA reopens the El Paso airspace following the operation, officials emphasize that vigilance remains paramount. The successful neutralization of cartel drones represents a critical step forward in protecting American skies and communities from evolving threats posed by transnational criminal organizations.
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