Ask Onix
US military intervenes after cartel drones enter El Paso airspace
The Pentagon confirmed it disabled drones operated by Mexican cartels following an overnight shutdown of airspace over El Paso, Texas, disrupting flights and sparking local outrage.
Sudden closure triggers confusion and flight disruptions
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) abruptly halted all flights in and out of El Paso International Airport late Tuesday, imposing a 10-day restriction. The move, coordinated with the Department of Defense, came in response to a reported drone incursion by cartel operatives, according to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy.
The closure, which spanned a 10-mile radius including parts of southern New Mexico, forced medical evacuation flights to divert and left passengers stranded. Airlines reportedly informed travelers their flights remained scheduled even after the FAA's announcement, deepening public confusion.
"We woke up, just like many of you, at midnight to texts and calls saying our airspace was shut down. Our community was scared. You just cannot do that."
El Paso Mayor Renard Johnson
Local officials left in the dark
City officials, including Mayor Johnson and Council Member Chris Canales, said they received no prior warning or explanation for the closure. Johnson told reporters Wednesday he was still awaiting answers from the FAA, the agency responsible for the decision.
"The official reason-we're still trying to get that answer," Johnson said, emphasizing the lack of transparency. Canales, whose district includes southwestern El Paso, echoed frustrations, noting the FAA issued the notice without consulting local governments or air traffic controllers.
Military response raises questions
The Pentagon confirmed it took action to disable the drones, though details of the operation remain classified. Mick Mulroy, a former Pentagon official and CIA paramilitary officer, told the BBC the closure was a prudent measure given the risks electronic warfare poses to civilian aviation.
"If the purpose was counter-drone activity related to cartel drones, it makes sense as the primary means to do so is through electronic warfare," Mulroy said. He added that the drones were likely used for surveillance rather than offensive operations.
Cartel drone activity along the border
Drones have become a common tool for Mexican cartels, particularly along the US-Mexico border. In El Paso, a hub for human trafficking, cartels use drones to monitor Border Patrol agents and guide migrants across the border, according to Parker Asmann of Insight Crime, a Washington-based think tank.
"It's about gathering intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance," Asmann said. While cartels in Mexico's interior have deployed drones to drop explosives, border operations focus primarily on smuggling and monitoring.
Despite the regularity of drone activity in the region, the scale and suddenness of Tuesday's airspace closure left experts puzzled. The FAA has worked to reduce closure durations in recent years, averaging just over two hours per incident since 2018.
Aftermath and lingering concerns
The FAA lifted the restrictions Wednesday morning, but local leaders demanded accountability. Johnson said the city would seek a full explanation for the lack of communication and the decision's impact on residents and critical flights, including one carrying surgical equipment that failed to arrive.
On social media, speculation ranged from conspiracy theories to fears of escalating conflict. However, officials maintained the closure was a targeted response to an immediate security threat.
