The sudden and unprecedented closure of El Paso’s airspace on Tuesday stemmed from border officials firing a high-energy laser at what they believed to be a cartel drone, according to reports. But, it turned out to be something considerably more innocuous: a party balloon drifting in the wind.

The sudden and surprising airspace closure over El Paso, Texas, stemmed from the Pentagon’s plans to test a laser for use in shooting down drones used by Mexican drug cartels.

The Federal Aviation Administration reopened the airspace around El Paso International Airport in Texas on Wednesday morning, just hours after it announced a 10-day closure.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy declared that "the threat has been neutralized" after the airspace was closed for several hours.

I want to be very, very clear that this should’ve never happened."

The FAA initially announced a 10-day airspace closure but removed the restriction less than eight hours later.

The sudden and unprecedented closure of El Paso’s airspace on Tuesday stemmed from border officials firing a high-energy laser at what they believed to be a cartel drone,…