U.S. military authorities closed the airspace over El Paso to test an anti-drone laser system. This version contradicts the initial information provided by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who attributed the closure to a supposed incursion of drones from a Mexican drug cartel. According to leaks, the Department of Defense did not communicate its plans to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which led to the abrupt closure of the airspace. According to Fox News, military authorities had earlier used a laser to shoot down what they believed was a drone, but it turned out to be a «party balloon». This error may have been the reason for the tests of the laser system that forced the airspace to be closed. Local authorities were also not informed of the Pentagon's plans, which took place near Fort Bliss military base, as stated by the mayor, police chief, and Congresswoman Veronica Escobar at two press conferences this morning. «This unnecessary decision has caused chaos and confusion in the El Paso community,» they stated. However, the ban was lifted on the same day. The restriction covered an area of 16 kilometers around El Paso and the neighboring community of Santa Teresa in New Mexico. The suspension of flights in the border area between the U.S. and Mexico coincides with an increase in tension between the two countries' governments following repeated threats from President Donald Trump of possible land attacks against Mexican drug cartels, designated as terrorist organizations by Washington.
