Trump Administration Official: Mexican Cartel Drones Prompted El Paso Airspace Closure

US Military Disabled the Drones, According to the Official

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

A Trump administration official has stated that the recent closure of the airspace over El Paso, Texas was due to Mexican cartel drones in the area. The official said the US military was able to disable the drones.

Why it matters

The airspace closure over El Paso caused significant disruptions to air travel in the region, raising concerns about national security and the ability of cartels to potentially threaten US airspace. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges the US faces in securing the border and combating cartel activity.

The details

According to the Trump administration official, Mexican cartel drones were spotted in the airspace over El Paso, prompting the Federal Aviation Administration to temporarily close the airspace as a precaution. The official stated that the US military was able to disable the drones, allowing the airspace to reopen. The official did not provide additional details about the specific cartel or the nature of the drone activity.

  • The airspace closure occurred on February 11, 2026.

The players

Trump Administration Official

A senior official in the Trump administration who provided information about the airspace closure and the involvement of Mexican cartel drones.

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What they’re saying

“Mexican cartel drones were spotted in the airspace over El Paso, prompting the Federal Aviation Administration to temporarily close the airspace as a precaution.”

— Trump Administration Official (marketbeat.com)

What’s next

The US government is likely to continue monitoring the border region and taking measures to prevent any further incursions by Mexican cartel drones or other threats to US airspace.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges the US faces in securing its borders and combating the activities of Mexican drug cartels, which are increasingly using advanced technology like drones to threaten US national security.