US Military Shoots Down Balloon Near El Paso After Mistaking It For Cartel Drone: Report

The US military shot down what was later identified as a party balloon near El Paso, Texas earlier this week after initially mistaking it for a possible Mexican cartel drone.

A US official told American broadcaster Fox News that counter-drone measures were activated after the object was assessed as a potential foreign drone. The incident eventually led to a temporary shutdown of airspace around El Paso International Airport.

The broadcaster had earlier reported that US authorities believed Mexican cartel drones had breached American airspace near El Paso, prompting military action. However, at least one of the objects targeted was later confirmed to be a balloon.

According to the report, the Pentagon has been testing new counter-drone technology

near the Army base at Fort Bliss, Texas, including a high-energy laser system. An official told Fox News that the laser was used to shoot down what appeared to be hostile drones but was later determined to be a non-threatening balloon.

US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said on Wednesday that the Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of War had acted quickly in response to what was believed to be a drone incursion.

“The threat has been neutralized, and there is no danger to commercial travel in the region,” Duffy was quoted as saying by Fox News.

However, Mexican authorities said they had no information to support claims of drone activity along the border.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said at a press conference that her government had received no evidence of drones crossing into US airspace. “We have no information indicating drone activity along the border,” she said, adding that Mexico remained in open communication with US agencies.

The FAA imposed temporary flight restrictions on Wednesday morning, citing “special security reasons.” Fox News reported that the initial order was unusually long, setting limits through February 20, though normal operations later resumed.

Sheinbaum said Mexico would seek more clarity on the episode. “We will wait for the information and continue to uphold permanent, open communication,” she said.