The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has ordered a total suspension of flights to and from El Paso International Airport for a period of ten days, citing 'special security reasons' that were not publicly detailed. The federal government warned that it 'could use lethal force' against any aircraft that violates the restricted airspace and poses an 'imminent security threat,' a statement that raised concerns about the severity of the situation. The airspace restriction covers a ten-mile radius around El Paso, including the Santa Teresa community in New Mexico, and does not apply to aircraft flying above 18,000 feet. This measure, which took effect at 11:30 PM local time on Tuesday, will isolate one of the main metropolitan areas in the southern United States from air travel until February 20 at the same time. The impact at the airport was immediate. According to Torres, even airline staff were initially unaware of the magnitude of the measure. El Paso International Airport is a strategic hub for western Texas and eastern New Mexico. The measure affected commercial, cargo, and general aviation flights. In parallel, the FAA did not provide further public explanations about the specific security reasons that motivated the restriction. Lawmakers, such as Democratic Congressman Joaquin Castro and Texas State Representative Vincent Perez, expressed surprise and stated they had not been notified in advance. The lack of precision and the warning about the use of lethal force have intensified speculation about the nature of the threat facing the border region.
