Trump Official: El Paso Airspace Closed Due to Mexican Cartel Drones

Defense Department disabled the drones after airspace breach, administration says.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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A Trump administration official has stated that the airspace over El Paso, Texas was temporarily closed after Mexican cartel drones breached the airspace. The official said the Defense Department took action to disable the drones.

Why it matters

The closure of airspace over a major U.S. border city raises concerns about national security and the ability of criminal organizations to potentially disrupt air traffic and operations. It also highlights ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Mexican cartels along the border region.

The details

According to the administration official, Mexican cartel drones crossed into the airspace over El Paso, prompting the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to temporarily close the airspace. The Defense Department then took steps to disable the drones, allowing flights to resume.

  • The airspace closure occurred on February 11, 2026.

The players

Trump Administration

The presidential administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump.

Defense Department

The U.S. Department of Defense, the federal department responsible for national security and the armed forces.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

The U.S. government agency responsible for the regulation and oversight of civil aviation.

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What they’re saying

“The airspace over El Paso was closed after Mexican cartel drones breached the airspace, but the Defense Department took action to disable the drones.”

— Trump Administration Official

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing security challenges along the U.S.-Mexico border, where criminal organizations like cartels continue to pose threats to national airspace and aviation operations. It underscores the need for continued coordination and vigilance between U.S. defense and law enforcement agencies to address these cross-border security issues.