A major security incident unfolded at the U.S.-Mexico border today, Wednesday, February 11, 2026, as the U.S. military took direct action to disable Mexican cartel drones that had breached American airspace. The incursion triggered an unprecedented, though brief, 10-day grounding notice for El Paso International Airport, causing temporary chaos before the restrictions were lifted.
The “Cartel Incursion”
According to U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Department of War (DOW) officials, multiple drones operated by Mexican drug cartels crossed the border into El Paso, Texas. The “Department of War”—a term recently revived by the Trump administration—acted “swiftly to address a cartel drone incursion,” using counter-drone technology to neutralize the threat.
While the administration did not specify the exact technology used, sources close to the Pentagon indicated that high-energy lasers or electronic jamming systems staged near Fort Bliss were likely deployed. One official confirmed that at least one cartel drone was successfully disabled, while another report suggested a “party balloon” may have also been downed during the heightened state of alert.
Unprecedented Airspace Lockdown
The initial FAA response was drastic: a 10-day closure of El Paso’s airspace, a duration for a full grounding not seen since the 9/11 attacks. The move caught local officials, airlines, and even some federal agencies off guard.
* Ground Stop: All commercial, cargo, and medical evacuation flights were halted.
* National Defense Airspace: The zone was declared restricted, with warnings that intruders could face “deadly force.”
* Local Outcry: El Paso Mayor Renard Johnson criticized the lack of communication, stating, “You cannot restrict airspace over a major city without coordinating with the city… That failure to communicate is unacceptable.”
Coordination and “Operational Silence”
The 10-day restriction was abruptly lifted after just a few hours. The sudden reversal reportedly followed a heated internal debate between the FAA and the Pentagon over the safety impacts of military counter-drone tests near commercial flight paths. Coordination issues between the two departments have been a recurring theme as the Trump administration intensifies Operation Southern Spear against the cartels.
Strategic Context
The drone shoot-down follows President Trump’s January 9 “bombshell” announcement regarding potential land strikes against cartels in Mexico. By deploying Stryker Brigade Combat Teams and advanced radar networks to the border, the U.S. is signaling that it will no longer tolerate cartel surveillance or trafficking via unmanned systems.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the FAA has declared that there is “no current threat to commercial travel,” and normal operations at El Paso International Airport have resumed. However, the military remains on high alert at the Biggs Army Airfield, with “nuke sniffers” and reconnaissance aircraft continuing to monitor cross-border activity.
Footage Charlie Kirk has been shot
Charlie Kirk has been shot
